Summer Beauty

  We're enjoying one more week of summer break, with this gorgeous meadow of flowers photographed by Leslie Colin Tribble. We'll return next week to our regularly scheduled programming with author Chris Mihaly and her post on "getting out there and sharing the books." 

 

 

 

The Gratitude Attitude with GROGgers with Kathy Halsey, Sue Heavenrich, Tina Cho, Patricia Toth, Christy Mihaly, Leslie Colin Tribble, Suzy Leopold

During this Thanksgiving holiday consider adding the gratitude attitude to your life for a healthier mindset, a happier life, and even better days creating. We GROGgers are sharing what we are grateful for along with some inspiring messages and images. Please join us in what you're grateful for posting in the  comment section.           

Kathy Halsey: This is a wonderful day. I have never seen this one before."  - Maya Angelou

I love this quote from poet Maya Angelou as it is the beginnings of wonder and thanks. I think of a new day, full of possibilities, looking for wonder and awe in the world. What will I see today that I have never seen exactly the same before? As writers, it's all about POV, and I choose to see the world like a child experiencing a number of first. Wonder fills my well and makes me smile. 

I lucked into a webinar with Jeffrey Davis through The Writing Barn and can't wait for this book, TRACKING WONDER. 

These days I'm tracking wonder through the eyes of a new one year old rescue pup, Scrappy Doo. What excitement in a new toy or outside? Scrappy helps me find the joy as do nature scenes like this captured by GROGer/photographer Leslie Collin Tribble. No filter indeed when Mother Nature and Leslie are scouting the wonder.

Sue Heavenrich:  When we live in the spirit of gratitude, there will be much happiness in our life.  ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

I think about this when I am outside planting seeds, or gathering vegetables from my garden: how thankful I am for the bounty of the earth. When I am kneeling next to the beds pulling weeds from between the beets and carrots, I smell the richness of the soil. I see the beetles and spiders busy on their errands, and hear the humming of bees, the chorus of birds. Even when a chipmunk climbs the fence and leaps to the thick sunflower stalk, I am grateful that there are many sunflowers - and we can all share the seeds. It's true, you know ~ the thing about being happier when we appreciate the gifts around us.  And there is something else: a realization that I have enough.

Tina Cho: Being joyful isn't what makes you grateful. Being grateful is what makes you joyful. ~Ann Voskamp

When I'm feeling down or overwhelmed, I ask myself--did I write down my blessings for the day? I keep a notebook where I try to write something I'm thankful for each night before I go to bed. Lately, I've been thankful for the cheery flowers. I do NOT have a green thumb, and so for this plant to actually bloom instead of die is a miracle. 

In this season of my writer's life, I'm extremely thankful for...

• my three critique groups and the unique angles each brings to my manuscripts that greatly need help. 
• my wonderful agent who believes in me and my writing, even when I don't.
• my awesome editors who show me how to take my writing to the next level.
• the kidlit community, who is more like a kidlit family that is very supportive.
• readers, who read our books & blog posts!

Patricia Toht:

Like Kathy Halsey, my gratitude quote is from Maya Angelou:

"The more you practice the art of thankfulness, the more you have to be thankful for."

If there's one thing that I've learned over two decades of writing, it's that consistently practicing an art makes you better at it. This is as true for gratitude as it is for writing. I frequently pause to count my blessings, especially when things are feeling tough or irritating. I love this song by Bing Crosby, so fitting for the season. 

Christy Mihaly: 

"There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in." ~Leonard Cohen, "Anthem"

This time of year in northern New England, I dread the gloom, the slow leaching away of our light. We'll soon be down to those shortest days, when the sun sets before 4:30. 

I've been thinking about the darkness, and the light. And so this brilliant Leonard Cohen lyric came to mind. And then I thought of the wonderful Louise Penny novels. I love them all, and several pay homage to Cohen's words, and explore the notion of "how the light gets in" through the cracks, the imperfections, the breaks. I'm grateful for the light that shines through our flawed creations. And I'm grateful for Goodness, which, as Louise Penny and Leonard Cohen and many other beautiful souls have reminded us, still exists despite our doubts, and continues to light the darkness. Thank you.

Suzy Leopold:

“Today is today, and it is a gift.” ~Tomie de Paola

Look and Be Grateful is just one of hundreds of beautiful picture books written by Tomie de Paola. The message of this book is sweet and simple. It is an ode to gratitude and mindfulness that includes brilliant illustrations.

As a creator—a writer and painter, I have the ability to communicate meaningful thoughts and feelings of gratitude through the written word with pen and paper and with paints and brushes. I am grateful for the opportunity to share my love of writing with readers. I am grateful to gift my creations to family and friends.

Every day is a gift to be grateful for.

Watercolor by Suzy Leopold
Inspiration from Tomie de Paola

We GROGgers are always thankful for our resident photographer and outdoor woman, Leslie Colin Tribble, who reminds us via her art that wonders await us. 

Night Walking

 By Leslie Colin Tribble

This summer the GROG has written nudges and encouragements to our readers to see the world in a new way in order to spark creativity. We've suggested getting out in nature, learning new crafts, engaging in a new sport or activity, and sharpening your writing by trying haiku or cinquain poetry. All these are designed to shake up the ordinary, get you out of a rut and help you see the world in a new way. 

My take on this is to incorporate night walks into your life.

We are creatures of the day, of light. How often do you go out and truly experience the dark? What I want you to try is getting away from the house and car, away from the lights. Let the beauty of the night envelope and hold you (safely, of course!). 

Behind my house is a city park with a paved, 2 mile path around a couple of lakes. I know the path well, and it's level enough I don't have to worry about tripping over an unseen rock. On one side of the path is the lake and the other side an irrigation ditch - I know the dogs won't wander too far. Once I leaned into the darkness and the cold during winter, I found all sorts of beauty - surprise encounters with a raccoon, owls hooting from trees or silently winging ahead of us on the trail, and more stars and galaxies than I could count. My sense of hearing was heightened in the dark and quiet and I could actually hear the raccoon chortling to itself and the weird, mystical music of lake ice.

If you're nervous about being by yourself, take a headlamp and a buddy. But try to not talk nor use the light - just simply experience the different beauty and creativity of the dark. 

Saving Grandaddy's Stories - an Interview with Shannon Hitchcock

Leslie Colin Tribble

Years ago, when there was such a thing as in-person conferences, I traveled from Wyoming to Georgia to a lovely state park to participate in WOW, A Week of Writing. I met the other Groggers there as well as many other talented writers, one of whom was Shannon Hitchcock. Shannon recently released her debut picture book biography, Saving Granddaddy's Stories. I caught up with her via email and I'm so happy she let me tell the story of this wonderful book. 

Where did the idea for your book come from? Why was it important for you to write this story?

In 1983, the year I graduated from Appalachian State University, Ray Hicks was named a National Heritage Fellow by the National Endowment for the Arts. I tucked that information away in my mind, and many years later when I was searching for my next writing project, I dreamed about Ray. Ray is famous for telling Jack Tales, and my mother read Jack and the Beanstalk to me many times when I growing up.

How long did you work on the manuscript?

This is a really embarrassing question. I tried writing picture book biographies, (with no success), before I ever tried writing middle grade novels. In 2009, an early draft of this manuscript was nominated for the Sue Alexander Most Promising New Work Award, but never published. The feedback I received was it was too regional.

You usually write MG novels? Why did you want to write a picture book?

I never wanted to write a picture book, but a picture book biography. They are my favorite kind of picture book—probably because I love history.

Do you have other pb manuscripts in the works?

Yes, I recently signed a contract for two more picture books. Saving Granddaddy’s Stories will be the first book in an Appalachian trilogy. I asked my editor, Wiley Blevins, if he would be interested in looking at a second manuscript of mine about an Appalachian ballad singer. He really liked the manuscript, but thought it should be a trilogy. I didn't have a third book written so I got busy and wrote one. It really was a case of an editor connecting with a story. Wiley is from West Virginia so the mountains and Appalachian culture resonated with him. I also included in my pitch that educators could use Saving Granddaddy's Stories as a tool to  teach figurative language, for analyzing how Jack and the Beanstalk has been retold by different cultures, and for exploring the Appalachian Region and its traditions.

Do you have an agent and who publishes your works?

My agent is Deborah Warren at East/West Literary Agency. My middle grade novels are published by Scholastic Trade and my picture books by Reycraft.

Do you have a favorite page in the book?

Yes, I like the spread with the beanstalk and the cow.

Did the publisher pair you with the illustrator? What do you like about her illustrations?

Reycraft chose Sophie Page to illustrate the entire series. Sophie is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, and the folk art feel of her illustrations pairs perfectly with my figurative language. Sophie crafts her images in two and three dimensions using clay, paper, fabric, and wire.

How are you promoting your book during COVID time?

Covid complicates everything, but I’m doing virtual events and blog posts and hoping for the best. I will be participating in an SLJ event tomorrow, but it will be taped and available until December: https://www.slj.com/?event=school-library-journal-day-of-dialog-fall

I also have a middle grade novel, (FLYING OVER WATER) releasing on October 20th and I'm doing a virtual launch through The Writing Barn, but will also give a shoutout to Saving Granddaddy's Stories: https://www.thewritingbarn.com/class/free-book-launch-celebration-shannon-hitchcock-n-h-senzai/

I'm scheduled to appear on Kirby Larson's blog for Friend Friday on January 29th.

Thanks, Shannon for giving us this wonderful story. I really enjoyed reading it and think it will resonate with lots of children and adults. 

Use Your Writing Skills to Pay for that SCBWI Membership

By Leslie Colin Tribble

First off, BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!! 

The winner from last week's drawing for Kirsti Call's signed ARC of her forthcoming picture book, Mootilda's Bad Mood. . . is. . . KIM P! 

Kim, Congratulations! We'll get that advance copy out in the mail. Please send your mailing address to Krisit Call (her contact info is on last week's post). And enjoy the laughs as Mootilda gets you into a goooood moooood. 😁

Now, onto today's post.

Writers are generally an underpaid lot, even when times are good. But add in a global pandemic, and times can be especially tough for folks who make at least some of their income in the gig economy. Lots of people have been laid off, furloughed or lost jobs the past five months. If that's you, you might just be wondering how to afford to renew your SCBWI membership, or take some of those courses and classes that further your craft. Well, get out that lovely yellow pad and sharpen your pencil, writer, because maybe you'll find something in the following list that gets your writing to pay for your writing needs. 

1. Online Freelance Writing

There are several legitimate sites that offer freelance work and fairly decent pay. You can opt to write one article or blog post, work part-time or even find full-time writing work. Check out Carol Tice's Make A Living Writing for tips to get started plus lists of online companies that list job boards. Problogger and Be A Freelance Blogger are other trusted names that can get you in the business. These companies list bigger name organizations that are looking for someone to write content, and they pay accordingly. However, if you need to get some cash fast, you're a quick writer or editor, and have a broad knowledge on a lot of topics you can sign up to write for online companies like Textbroker. I wrote a lot of articles for them several years ago and actually really enjoyed the experience. I became a better writer, could request a payout weekly and made a few hundred bucks a month. Granted, that's not much, but I did it in my spare time and it was certainly enough to buy groceries for my family. There are other websites like TextBroker but do your research and find ones with decent reviews, ease of use, and lots of work to chose from. I think a lot of these companies have become more stable and legitimate since I was doing this kind of work, so you should be able to find one that meets your needs.

2. Writing for Magazines

Yes, we'd all like to get published in a magazine like Oprah, but set your sights a little lower and chances are you can get published in a regional magazine fairly easily. Your city is probably covered by at least a couple different local publishing firms that are always looking for good, solid content writers. Do you know how to keep a toddler occupied on a long car trip, or have a special recipe that utilizes regional produce? Pitch those ideas to the editor. Or ask what their publishing schedule is for the year and see if you can write a suitable article. Regional publishers are usually easy to work with and pay fairly quickly. If you have some in-depth knowledge about certain topics, go ahead and pitch national publications. Are you an expert rock hounder? Did you climb all of the Colorado 14,000 foot peaks in a season? Do you know a super successful way to teach a left-handed person how to knit? Take your passion, hobby, or career and write an article about it, then find a good match for it. Writing a killer query letter to a magazine editor isn't any different than crafting one for a book editor or agent, so put those talents to good use while you're waiting for that offer to come through.

3. Content Writing for Local Businesses

Look around at the businesses in your town. Nearly all businesses have websites and many of them are looking for some content that showcases what they have to offer. Your job is to convince the owner that you're the best writer for the job. Be creative here. Chances are, especially now, the business is really needing something to entice customers back to their store, but they may not have the ready cash to pay for that service. Now is the time to use your best bartering tactics. Offer to take gift cards in exchange for your word-smithing. Tire shops, clothing stores, book stores, outdoor adventure businesses, restaurants, dentists, yoga or dance studios and even hospitals all need written words to reach their clientele. You may not get paid with a check, but a gift certificate or free classes is just as good. I wrote about 60 articles for our local outdoor retailer and received a house account in exchange. I'll need a new down coat (soon!) to ward off the chill of Wyoming winter and I love knowing I can run down there and buy whatever coat I want, not to mention Christmas and birthday presents for my kids. 

4. Non-profit Agencies

Most non-profits cringe at paying someone for services, but maybe you can find a win-win for both of you. Ask the local animal shelter to pay you in vouchers for dog food. Your church might be able to provide day care for your children, or hook you up with piano lessons for the kids. Do you have legal or tax expertise? Write some blog posts for a non-profit in exchange for services in the future.

5. Writing for Greeting Cards

Fellow Grogger, Sherri Jones Rivers wrote this post about the greeting card industry. If you can write succinctly, wittily and with heart, give this a try.

6. Writing for the Testing Market

Remember all those standardized tests you've taken and the reading comprehension essays? Someone has to write those and it might as well be you. I haven't written for the large testing companies, but I did work for several months for a local company that teaches English to Korean students. They needed practice TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) essays and questions so that's what I wrote. It was fun and interesting - I got to chose the topics for the essays, then crafted comprehension questions based on that information. It was good money and something I could do as a side-hustle. 

There are a lot of ways of turning your writing skills in cash, or as good as cash. It does require some effort, searching, applications, and most of all, tenacity, but it's worth it. You'll become a better writer, bring in some extra income and probably learn some new and interesting information in the process. 

All About Leslie Colin Tribble and ADVENTURE GUIDE TO CODY

By Suzy Leopold

     Together let’s learn more about a fellow GROGger—an outdoor woman and her many passions, interests, and talents as an environmental educator, photographer, and freelance writer. 

Leslie Colin Tribble

     Along with writing and photography, sharing the love of nature education with adults and children is a passion of Leslie’s. So what better way to combine these interests into a guide filled with history and places to explore and discover in her book:

ADVENTURE GUIDE TO CODY, July 24, 2019

by Leslie Colin Tribble

Leslie wrote an adventure guide about Cody, Wyoming. Filled with beauty and adventure, Wyoming is for those who love the great outdoors--From national parks and monuments to hiking, biking, and skiing.

ADVENTURE GUIDE TO CODY

Robbie

Several years ago, my Mom, sons, and I traveled US Route 85 along the eastern border of Wyoming. On a summer morning we began our road trip heading south after visiting Mt. Rushmore and the Black Hills of South Dakota. The destination was Denver, Colorado. We passed through the rough and rugged rolling rangeland, beautiful buttes and wheat fields. The images remain in my memory. I look forward to an opportunity to revisit the many wonders of Wyoming. 

 Do you know the state motto and nickname for Wyoming is The Equality State? Wyoming was the first state to grant women the right to vote in 1869. Women were granted the right to vote to meet the population requirement for statehood. Wyoming became the 44th state in 1890.

Time to learn more about Leslie and her adventure guide.

Q1: Where did you find inspiration and ideas for writing this guide book? I’m quite certain your answer will include the words nature and outdoors found in the wonderful state of Wyoming.

Wyoming Prairie

A1: I wrote the original form of the articles as a commission from our local gear shop, Sunlight Sports. Although Sunlight retains rights to the original articles, they graciously agreed to me re-writing the information and publishing it in a book. There are a lot of people, both residents and visitors, who want to get out, but don’t know where to go. We are so blessed here to have access to thousands of acres of beautiful public wild lands literally within 5 minutes of downtown. I wanted to help folks find out about the beauty that’s right outside their doors and give them enough information to feel confident to go. 

Wyoming Wildflowers

Q2: The cover photo on an ADVENTURE GUIDE TO CODY is inviting. Tell us about the photography you chose throughout the book. Did you use special camera equipment for the beautifully captured photos?

A2: The cover photo isn’t mine - it’s a stock photo from CreateSpace. I couldn’t figure out how to upload one of my own! I actually take most of my photos on my cell phone - the cameras on the newer models are pretty incredible. I do have a Fuji mirrorless camera that I love but a lot of times I forget to take it with me. I rarely leave home without my phone and the best camera is the one you have with you. 

Q3: Share the steps you took to write and publish the

ADVENTURE GUIDE TO CODY.

A3: Don’t let anyone tell you that self-publishing is easy! I didn’t find any part of the process easy. CreateSpace, or as it’s now know, Kindle Direct Publishing, does simplify the process, but there are a lot of hoops to jump through. One I had the book written, I had to figure out how to get it into KDP’s format. A lovely writer friend, Kathleen Birmingham told me about a company that sells programs that make it easier to upload your manuscript. I bought one of those and it really did make life so much easier. The most trouble I had was inserting the photos and keeping the formatting. I had a lot more photos I wanted to use, but in the end I only put in a few. Once you get green check marks from KDP on all the steps, you click publish and within 24 hours there’s your book on Amazon. That part was cool. And then getting the first copies in the mail. Yay!

Q4: Share your love for the beauty found in nature.

Tell us more about your love for hiking the great outdoors.

A4: As a child, I spent most of my time outside. I loved all things nature-related. Getting outside every day is my method of self-care. I love to be out, rain or shine, summer or winter. I think the saying, “There’s no bad weather, only bad clothing choices,” is perfect. Some days I get in a lot of miles, other days I just wander and take a look at all the exquisite life around me. I’m not really a focused, goal-oriented hiker. If I make it to the destination or mileage, great. If not, I will have had a great time on the journey.

Backlit grasses of Wyoming

Walrus and Robbie--Two Adventure Dogs

Leslie and her Adventure Dogs

Q5: When out and about, Walrus, the grand dog and Robbie, the adventure dog, sometimes roam with you. Tell us more about these sweet pups.
A5: Robbie, the Adventure Dog, goes with me every day. He’s an almost 7 year old half-lab, half border collie. I got him in a bit of an unusual way. Someone in town advertised a little point-and-shoot camera for sale that I went to look at. The family lived “on the wrong side of the tracks” and I knew that although I didn’t really want the camera, I’d take it because I figured they could use the money. But I’d forgotten to bring cash or my checkbook, so I went to the bank and returned a little later. A small black puppy came over to me, sat down, leaned against my leg and looked up at me with these huge, sad Labrador Retriever eyes. I knew right then that puppy was coming home with me somehow. The person I was buying the camera from said, “Oh he likes you, you can take him too.” So I did! Walrus, the Granddog, and his new brother, Anchovy, hike with us on days when my daughter works. They are both rescues off the Crow Reservation in Montana. Walrus is 5 and Anchovy is probably less than a year old. We think they’re half brothers because they look so much alike, but Anchovy is much shorter than Walrus. You can thank my daughter for their names!

Robbie

Q6: What are you currently reading?

A6: I mostly read nonfiction. I work at the library so get to bring home a lot of books. Currently I’m reading The Secret Wisdom of Nature, Peter Wohllenben; How to be a Stoic, Massimo Pigliucci; and The Living Landscape: Designing for Beauty and Biodiversity in the Home Garden, Rick Darke and Douglas W. Tallamy.

We just got an order of children's books and my favorites were, Mr. Scruff, Simon James; I want a Dog, Jon Agee; and Dog Heaven, Cynthia Rylant. I made half the library staff read Dog Heaven.

Q7: What are some of the first books you remember as a child?

Do you have memories of writing when you were younger?

A7: I poured over my family’s copy of National Geographic’s Wild Animals of North America. I also had dog breed encyclopedias and read anything that featured animals. I didn’t read the Little House on the Prairie series until I was an adult. If the book featured a person, chances were good that I wouldn’t read it. And I didn’t read horse books, because obviously, dogs were far superior to dogs. I very distinctly remember writing a little book as a school assignment. My title was, “The Boy Who Thought He was a Stamp.” My teacher was totally unimpressed and said something about a better try the next time. I didn’t write for a long time after that.

Q8: What current WIP or non writing project are you working on? 

A8: I actually haven’t done a lot of writing for kids the last couple of years. I’ve had some family issues, health issues and was concentrating on getting my Adventure Guide to Cody published. I do have a couple nonfiction PB’s I’ve been working on for awhile. I did a mentorship with Lisa Amstutz and that was really helpful in getting those two manuscripts finished and polished up. I need to get them off on submission before the end of year holiday lull. 

Red Canyon, Wyoming

Q9: Rite in Rain, Defying Mother Nature creates durable and useful memo books and journals for outdoor use that are environmentally friendly. Do you have a pen, pencil, and/or journal of your choice?

A9: I do most of my writing and journaling when I get back home, unless something really strikes me when I’m out. I love pretty journals, and beautiful pens, but I usually end up writing on a spiral notebook with a free ballpoint I picked up somewhere. Those back to school sales and their 4 for $1 spiral notebooks get me every year. I do have a few pens I keep at home as my good writing pens, which means you’d better not use them!

Q10: Published authors inspire us. Studying carefully crafted books

as mentor texts help writers grow as writers. Name one, two, or three favorite authors and why you like and respect their work.

A10: I absolutely love Kate Messner’s nonfiction picture books, especially her “Over and Under” series. They are perfect in every way - from the text, to the author’s notes, and the illustrations. I also enjoy Nancy Churnin’s biographies - it’s been fun to follow her success and see which people she will write about next. The book that got me thinking that maybe I could write was Chipmunk Song, by Joanne Ryder and illustrated by Lynne Cherry. It was an early (1987) nature-focused picture book that was lyrical and lovely. 

Bison with Ancient Wisdom Eyes

Q11: I note several excellent articles written by you in Yellowstone Valley Woman, YVW. Tell us about the free magazine that “strives to be the leading voice for women and women’s issues in the Billings area”.

A11: I had already done some freelance writing for local publications when I contacted the editor at YVW and asked if they needed someone to cover the southern end of their distribution area. I’ve written several articles for YVW and their sister publication, Raised in the West. It’s always fun and I learn so much. Most recently I wrote an article about my recent brush with breast cancer.

Q12: Finally, where can the followers of the GROG Blog

find more about you?

A12: Leslie's guide on Amazon: ADVENTURE GUIDE TO CODY

Posts by Leslie: Yellowstone Valley Woman 

Instagram: Sagebrush Lessons 

Facebook: Leslie Colin Tribble

Thank you, Leslie, for sharing the many wondrous views from your adventures, through your photography, and interesting facts about Wyoming.

What's New at the Library?

By Leslie Colin Tribble

It's time once again, for the latest review of new books in the Children's Library of the Park County Library in Cody, Wyoming. I don't know what winter has been like in your neck of the woods, but out here in the sagebrush, it's been downright polar, despite what the calendar says. So grab a steamy cup of tea and gather around for a look at a few new picture books.

Quiet by Tomie dePaola

Quiet is a wonderful book about a grandfather and his grandchildren taking a moment to be still and quiet. Tomie carefully sets the tone of a busy world as the group watches birds, dragonflies, the family dog and a frog engage in their busy animal lives. It's grandfather who suggests the group sit down on a bench for a rest and to be quiet. The final page states, "To be quiet and still is a special thing." This is a wonderful book to address the need for a break from the frantic pace of modern life. Adults and children need moments to retreat from everything that makes our lives busy - technology, calendars, cars, and even work. We need to remember it's when we are quiet that we can see and truly think. That's a lasting gift we can give children.

Hungry Bunny by Claudia Rueda

I enjoyed this book, because yes, it has a cute bunny, but also because it the interactive nature of the text. I'm not a real fan of books that ask the reader to do something, but in this title it made a lot of sense and seemed fun. Bunny is hungry but can't quite reach the apples so he asks the reader to shake, blow, and tilt the book to help him get the apples and take them home. There's a bright red ribbon in the book that is also a prop to help the bunny reach the apples and cross a chasm. Ingenious! The illustrations are simple and in shades of gold, brown and black with some red for a splash of color. Young children will enjoy interacting with Hungry Bunny.

The Apple Pie that Papa Baked by Lauren Thompson; illustrated by Jonathan Bean

Following on the apple theme is this engaging book with its cumulative text. The book starts with an apple pie baked by Papa (I appreciate that Mama didn't have to bake this pie), and works backwards from the roots, rain, clouds, sky and sun that make the pie possible. This cumulative text quietly reinforces the inter-relatedness of the natural world. With another nod to Hungry Bunny, this book is also in shades of brown, black and gold with only the apples providing color. The illustrations are deceptively complex, so there's plenty to look for on each page. There are also three wordless spreads which work to move to story along. Hungry Bunny and The Apple Pie that Papa Baked would be fun books to read together.

Where is My Balloon? by Ariel Bernstein; illustrated by Scott Magoon

Owl and Monkey are very happy. Owl has a wonderful red balloon and Monkey has a sock with a perfectly shaped hole. What happens when Owl asks Monkey to hold his balloon is hysterical. I adored the expressions on the faces of these characters who are oh so human. Every child can relate to both Owl and Monkey when it comes to breaking someone else's toy. The text is very simple, but overflowing with great adjectives. The illustrations contain little background putting Owl and Monkey right in the center of the action. This keeps the reader focused on the interaction between our two characters. What a fun read, with a bonus that everyone can tell their own Owl and Monkey story afterward.

Because of an Acorn by Lola M. Schaefer; illustrated by Adam Schaefer

From a tiny acorn comes a wonderful forest. This is another cumulative text, starting with because of an acorn, a tree grows. The story pulls in other facets of the forest from flowers, to seeds, to chipmunks, to hawks, and back to acorns emphasizing the web of life within the forest. There is backmatter about ecosystems and a small section on what can you do to help forests. I think this book would make a great first look at conservation for very young children. Start them young!

Dip into Art, Find a New Writerly You by Leslie Colin Tribble and Kathy Halsey

Any amount of creativity takes incubation.

Kathy:  This past fall was hard on me mentally and by October, I felt creatively dry. I had not read Julie Cameron's The Artist's Way but I have done Morning Pages and knew to take myself on "creativity dates" to art museums, the woods, or whatever to just feed my soul and heart. I changed up my creative routine and challenged myself to try pen and ink sketching with Inktober a week into the challenge. Although I didn't get 31 drawings done, one a day with a prompt, I did enjoy the pursuit of another medium. Here's what I learned dipping into a new art form.

One of my pen & ink sketches w/acrylic. Inspired by a photo and the prompt "angular."

• It freed me from being too critical of myself, since I didn't consider myself an artist. 
• I met other artists and saw how many different ways there are to render art with pen & ink.
• I sketched on planes, in pubs, and found that people were interested in what I was doing. 
• By the month's end, I realized that as I wrote, I was beginning to think in pictures and what I would sketch on a page. 
• I gained courage from trying an art form that was new and realized that all artistic expression has rough patches, trial and error, fun, and breakthroughs.  

Sometimes you have to be patient and wait until the time is right.

I knew some of my kid lit friends had other talents and asked them to comment on what they enjoyed in addition to writing and how each art helps feed the other. Twenty-three writers responded to my question over at KidLIt411. I'll share just a few responses.

• To me, creative writing is just one form of artistic generativity. Almost any form of self-expression is useful for generating writing ideas and for getting into creation-mode.
  Different ways of creating often feed into one another. A necklace I've woven may lead to an idea for a different way to decorate a cookie, which in turn may result in an unexpected idea for a children's book. - Michele Blood
• I enjoy handicrafts like sewing, knitting and needle-felting along with costuming. I also garden. For me, it's about letting my brain have some time to fallow, but my hands need to be busy somehow.  - Kimberly Christensen
•  I love gardening, and mowing the lawn. How is lawn mowing creative? I mow nonsensical patterns, or only see from above patterns some times. It's great non-interupted creative time too, much writing is figured out in the fresh air! I also do t'ai chi and qigong which help my writing a great deal. - Charlene Brandt Avery
• Cooking, gardening, and oddly, doing puzzles. I realize that it's not creative in the sense that the pieces are already there. But it both focuses and relaxes my mind. It's very meditative and I often come up with ways to approach a manuscript I'm working on while I'm doing them. - Julie Foster Hedlund
• Finally, GROGger friend, Leslie Colin Tribble, is an author/photographer and treats Facebook followers to amazing photos. I asked her to tag team with me on this post. Her photography makes me conjure up stories. (They are throughout this post.)  

Leslie: I use photography to help me sharpen my creativity. Often when I'm out hiking I see things in nature which prompt story ideas so I snap photos to help me remember. Or I take photos of things I want to research later - what might that animal track be; what woodpecker makes those types of holes; do kangaroo mice hibernate? I could write these ideas down in a notebook, but slipping my cell phone out of my pocket and snapping off one or even ten photos of something is so much easier. Thank goodness for digital!

Creativity is a reflective endeavor.

I'm not on Facebook much anymore, but I have a presence on Instagram (sagebrush_lessons) and I love it. I follow people, places and hashtags that inspire me to create, whether it's photography or writing. I really enjoy posting my own photos and love showing people a slice of my outdoor life. I seldom post anything personal, but I do post things that I find interesting in the natural world. Instagram boosts my creativity and keeps me looking for unique and fun subjects for posts. 

I also think it's good to take a break from your regular writing. I didn't do much of any writing this past year, and when I finally picked up a pen, I wrote personal journal entries exploring emotions and thoughts, something I definitely am not comfortable with. And I've been trying to write a nature-related tidbit per day, just to jump start the words. Writing is practice and when I don't practice I feel the words and ideas stop flowing. 

Sometimes you have to just stop and absorb all that good energy.

Another practice which has come into my life is that of sketching. I've always wanted to keep that tried-and-true naturalist's notebook filled with beautiful sketches of plants and animals. But I really can't sketch for anything. The point is though, that sketching helps me notice both intimate detail and overall impressions. It helps me better understand what I'm looking at and inspires me to increase my knowledge. It's a creativity booster, even though I am absolutely no good at it. I figure I may never create a journal on the lines of Claire Walker Leslie, but my sketching certainly can't get any worse than it already is. And who knows? In several years (decades?!) I just might be slightly better at sketching than I am now! 

What are some ways which you can try to ratchet up your creativity by exploring other art forms? How about taking a watercolor class or learn sculpting? Maybe you could join a Toast Master's group, learn glass blowing, or learn to knit? I find I do a lot of mental writing when I'm just knitting down a long row of the same stitch (plus I'm not a very gifted knitter - plain and simple for me!) Find something you aren't very good at, especially if it requires you to use a different side of your brain.   

Other times you have to head out and pursue it.

Kathy:  As author Sarah Aronson reminded me in her recent newsletter, "In our creative lives, when we take risks, we don't always succeed either. But you'll never know what can happen in your story unless you try. Unless you let go of playing it safe. Unless you risk losing." Here's to new forms of creativity in 2019. What might you do with this one fabulous life? 

Its always worth the effort and you can congratulate yourself on a job well done.