Goading The Pen

Blog This!

2007-11-26T07:46:00.000-05:00

Okay here's the deal. Time is a rare commodity. I am heavily involved in my current WIP. It is a YA and while it takes me far beyond my comfort zone it is important that I follow it through.

I have also become quite involved in my sons adventures into the world of Reviewing books. Boys Blogging Books launched a few weeks ago and has taken on a life of its own. The boys do the reviews and interviews and I get the tech stuff and other site maintenance stuff. I will continue to encourage their efforts.

As a result of the new projects, some of the old ones are getting left behind. Including this blog.
Not that I have heavy traffic here, but if you do happen to be interested, you can still find me here: http://goadingthepen.livejournal.com/

Here is hoping you all have the happiest of Holiday Seasons!

Happy Writing!
Sheri

Robert's Snow Week 3

2007-10-28T19:40:00.000-05:00

This week I am posting in the memory of my "little brother." Though I can't say I have blood rights to call him that, I do have heart rights! I met D~ when he was nine years old. I was 18 and his mom was single trying to make ends meet. Fate brought us together and I would care for D~ over the next year so that she could work and in exchange she let me live with her. Over the next 16 years they would both become like family to me.
I can't remember a day that D~ wasn't smiling! Well except for that one time I made crunchy tuna casserole for dinner. =) It wasn't supposed to be crunchy. He might not have smiled when he saw it on the table but he laughed hysterically after. And for years to come!
I miss D~ terribly. There is not a single day that goes by that he doesn't cross my mind.
He lost his battle with Cancer in April of 2006. He was 25 and he was smiling!

Please support the efforts of Robert's Snow!

Monday, October 29

Dan Santat at Writing and Ruminating

Joanne Friar at The Longstockings
Alissa Imra Geis at Wild Rose Reader

Diane Greenseid at Just One More Book!!

Sean Qualls at Brooklyn Arden

Tuesday, October 30

Ann Koffsky at Book Buds

Bill Carman at A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy

Gretel Parker at Finding Wonderland

Matt Phelan at A Year of Reading

Stephanie Roth at Writing with a broken tusk

Wednesday, October 31

Shawna Tenney at Kate's Book Blog

Adam Rex at Booktopia and Welcome to my Tweendom

Mo Willems at MotherReader

Rolandas Kiaulevicius at a wrung sponge

Thursday, November 1

Karen Lee at sruble's world

Diana Magnuson at A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy

Melissa Iwai at Brooklyn Arden

Victoria Jamieson at AmoXcalli and Cuentecitos

Molly Idle at The Shady Glade

Meghan McCarthy at A Fuse #8 Production

Friday, November 2

Tracy McGuinness-Kelly at Sam Riddleburger's blog

Sarah Kahn at Kate's Book Blog

Sylvia Long at Whimsy Books

Jeremy Tankard at the excelsior file

Holli Conger at Please Come Flying

Saturday, November 3

Susan Miller at Your Neighborhood Librarian

Ellen Beier at What Adrienne Thinks About That

Hideko Takahashi at The Silver Lining

Judith Moffat at Jo's Journal

Wendell Minor at Wild Rose Reader

Sunday, November 4

Joy Allen at Check It Out

Robin Brickman at Greetings from Nowhere

Lauren Stringer at laurasalas

Nancy Wallace at In the Pages . . .

Please take time out to visit all of these blogs, and read about these fabulous illustrators. And, if you're so inclined, think about bidding for a snowflake in the Robert's Snow auction. Each snowflake makes a unique gift (for yourself or for someone else), and supports an important cause.

Robert's Snow ~ Roz Fulcher

2007-10-20T20:52:00.000-05:00

I am honored to be participating in Blogging for the Cure, helping to promote the efforts of

Robert's Snow: for Cancer's Cure.
Visit the links in my sidebar to see some of the other illustrators and their snowflakes.
Visit Robert's Snow to see ALL the fabulous Snowflakes!

Let me say that Roz Fulcher is a very dear friend of mine and I am thrilled to be featuring her snowflake! I have watched her from the first day that she began illustrating and as amazed as I was then, my admiration for her as a person and as an artist grows consistently! When I found out she was volunteering her time for Robert's Snow it did not surprise me in the least.
I hope you enjoy your visit!

Roz's Bio

Roz spent several years learning the craft of children's books, then "cut-out" a niche for herself when she began illustrating with felt. Using felt, fabric,and a variety of embellishments, Roz brings a child's world to life in her charming and lively illustrations.
Roz has happily completed illustration assignments for Reader's Digest, Harcourt, Macmillan/ McGraw Hill, Creative Teaching Press, Perfection Learning, Carus Publishing. Being chosen to illustrate the premiere cover issue of “Highlights High Five Magazine” has been the "highlight" of her career thus far.
Roz currently resides in sunny Las Vegas, Nevada with her military husband, three children,

and her dogs Lily and Valentine, who inspire her daily.

Interviewing Roz / Making "Sled Penguin"

GTP: You are extremely talented and your illustrations never cease to amaze me.
ROZ: Oh my goodness, thanks so much!

GTP: Can you tell us what inspired your snowflake design?
ROZ: Coming up with the illustration concept was the easy part - I adore penguins so I knew I really wanted to have one in the scene. The challenging part was figuring out how I was going to cover the entire wooden snowflake with felt while making sure the scenes lined up front and back when stitched together.

GTP: Can you tell us a little bit about the process and how long it took from first
sketch to final stitch to make “Sled Penguin”?
ROZ:The sketching of the illustration wasn’t too long, only about half an hour. Since it was just for me, it didn’t have to be very “clean”. The final artwork took about 6 hours from start to finish.
I started by making templates from the initial sketch, then cutting my pieces of felt with those. I built the illustration primarily by gluing the pieces and then adding extra stitches to hold the pieces together and for embellishment.
Making sure that the two sides matched in the end was nerve wracking. Along with that, I also needed to make sure that I had given myself enough felt along the edge to stitch together.
Fortunately, it worked despite my terrible measuring skills!

Illustration Sketch:

A Work In Progress:

Final Product:

Just for fun info:

Favorite Color: Sage Green. Although purple is really starting to appeal to me.
Favorite Time of the day: BED TIME!
Favorite Flower: Rambling cottage roses.
Favorite Book Children’s: Just one?? Right now, I really enjoy the current series of ‘Bear’ books written by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Jane Chapman. I love how perfectly Jane’s creamy acrylic illustrations complement Karma’s melodic rhyming text.
Candy for the eyes and ears.
Favorite Book Adult: Hmm… I’m going to say JK Rowling and her Harry Potter series. I think they are just as entertaining for adults as they are for kids. I can’t wait to see what Ms. Rowling comes up with next!

Visit http://www.rozfulcher.com/ for a peek at more art from her portfolio and check out her blog while you're there!

It's SNOWING!

2007-10-17T07:42:00.000-05:00

And what a beautiful snow storm! Robert's Snow is storming through the blogging community and what a spectacular site it is! Make sure and check out the links in my sidebar. 5 new snowflakes are featured everyday! Please visit the site as well to visit the complete list of snowflakes. Robert's Snow!

Snow is on its way!

2007-10-15T22:03:00.001-05:00

The air is hardly cold enough for snow but it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Snowflakes are popping up all over the web! The first five snowflakes from the Robert's Snow for Cancer's Cure made their debut today!

This is truly an amazing blog event! No excuses for missing any of the snowflakes. Site links are listed EVERYWHERE! Including Jacket Flap!

I will be featuring ROZ FULCHER this Sunday. I can hardly wait!

Heather Brewer Hoodie Giveaway!

2007-09-27T15:41:00.000-05:00

Heather Brewer author of Eighth Grade Bites is simply Fangtastic!

She is holding a contest through the month of October and giving away 13 Hoodies!!!

Click Here For All The Juicy Details!

13 Hoodies for Halloween!

Rita Mills~ Interview ABC's Picture Book Competition

2007-09-14T06:08:00.000-05:00

With the voting about to start for the 3rd Annual ABC's Picture Book Competition, the buzz about this competition begins. Here to help us understand more about the ins and outs of the competion, is Competition Coordinator, Rita Mills. Please feel free to post in the comments area any additional questions you might have.

Welcome Rita!

Sheri: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Rita: As for my background, I had a twenty-year career at The Houston Post, a major metropolitan newspaper, which I left with the upper management title of PrePress Resource Coordinator. In 1993, I accepted the position of Managing Editor of Arte Publico Press, the largest publisher of Hispanic literature in the US, located at The University of Houston. Their plans included launching a children’s picture book imprint, Pinata Books, and I was intrigued. I knew little if anything about children’s books other than I had loved and collected them for years, but they were looking for someone with practical experience in the creation of those books.

After four years at Arte Publico, I left to start my own business, The Book Connection. I could see the publishing industry was changing rapidly because I was getting weekly calls from people wanting to know how to publish their books. At that time—mid ‘90s—the publishing industry was going through some major changes. The onslaught of the internet pretty much leveled the playing field for the small publisher, so more and more newbies wanted to start their own publishing houses.

As a book publishing consultant/coach and book packager, I help small publishers start their own publishing companies and school them in the standardizations required to become viable in publishing and produce trade quality books across all genres. I work with more than thirty freelancers all over the US who have book specific experience, and I am the project manager and coordinator for the various titles. I have worked with several of my freelancers for fifteen years or longer and know their skill sets. I have packaged more than 350 titles in the last 15 years of which about 20 have been children’s picture books.(The numbers used in this sentence are correctly used.)

Sheri: Why did you start the ABC Picture Book Competition?

Rita: When an average of three children’s picture books out of twelve thousand submissions sent to traditional publishers are actually published, I would say that constitutes a need.

So I started the competition to give the unknown writers and illustrators a chance to become published.

The idea for the ABC’s Children’s Picture Book Competition was first tossed around about eight years ago during a brainstorm session at a nonprofit cooperative for whom I worked. We were discussing the frustrations of the publishing industry and started working on the idea of a contest of some sort to recognize newbies to the industry. It wasn’t until much later that the idea for an internet vote started taking shape, and the whole idea of the competition was honed to what it is today.

The nonprofit was dissolved after the second round of the competition, and, because of the obligations that were in place, I took on the responsibility of delivering on those obligations. Just so everyone is aware, the competition skipped a year when my personal life took on an ominous note. My husband was diagnosed with lung cancer and was brought home for hospice care, so there was no way I could continue that round of the competition.

Sheri: How many writers usually participate in the competition?

Rita: The first competition had roughly 250; the second round had 176 entries; and the third round had 128. The numbers were never anywhere near as large as we envisioned going into the competition, and those that claim I am getting rich must not know how much it costs to publish a quality book.

Sheri: Can you explain why there is a $55 entry fee?

Rita: The entry fee is meant to discourage those who just send out their manuscripts indiscriminately. If they are willing to send in an entry fee, they generally have faith in the quality of their stories. And this fee also helps with the administrative costs of doing the competition.

Just a sidebar on the $55 entry fee:

Several years ago when I was trying to write, I sent one story out simultaneously to several publishers and spent over $100 on postage alone. My reward was six Xeroxed rejection letters, and six didn’t even bother to respond after my hours of research and compilation of the specific things that they were looking for.
There are many awards out there that charge a fee to submit your titles. No one seems to have a problem with them charging a fee and most are now over $100 per title. And, basically all you are going to get for your trouble is the opportunity to buy their stickers to put on your books.

Sheri: Is there one specific thought that you would like to get across to the public?

Rita: In order for a small publisher to have a viable publishing project, a target audience is necessary so marketing dollars can be focused on a specific core audience. With that said, think marketing angles for your entries. For instance, these two winners have great target audiences:

12 Dog Days of Christmas in New York City—dog lovers, Christmas gifts & New York fans
Don’t Eat the Bluebonnets—Duh!—Texas is a large state and it is about our state flower, the bluebonnet

A children’s story is a children’s story. If it has a good target audience as well as tells a good story, how can it not be a winner?

Sheri: If the participation level was higher would you use the extra fees to publish a second book?

Rita: Going into this competition idea, we had decided that for every three hundred entries we would publish one book. Things obviously didn’t turn out the way we wanted when it came to the number of entry participants, but that is still our goal. I would rather publish more books than less because we get some really terrific stories. If I had the resources, there are at least four out of the first two rounds and four in the current round of the competition that I would publish myself.

Sheri: What happens to the finalist stories that don’t win?

Rita: The stories that don’t win in the internet vote are kept online. I wanted them to still have visibility with the hopes that another publisher might peruse the stories and like one enough to want to publish it themselves. To date I think there have been three or four of the finalists that have managed to make it into print, and I get requests periodically from internet surfers that want the contact info for either an author or illustrator for a project. I also moderate two listservs and participate on several others that deal with publishing, and I often point people to the ABC’s website to take a look at the stories.

Sheri: What is the reason for doing an online vote? Why not just select a winner?

Rita: The ABC’s competition has taken a lot of criticism because the winner is chosen by an internet vote, and many have said it is nothing but a “popularity contest.” The competition was specifically designed this way to zero in on the marketing prowess of the authors and illustrators. Wallflowers need not apply!!
It really doesn’t matter which one of the ten finalists wins, because they all have merit or they wouldn’t be a finalist. By organizing the competition this way, the “cream will rise to the top,” and the author/illustrator team that is the most outgoing will be the winner. Any publisher knows a marketing personality is essential for a successful publishing project, and children’s literature is no different. An author who is outgoing and willing to help market their stories is a tremendous asset.
Another aspect of the internet vote idea started at that first brainstorm session. One of the things we were all appalled at was the subjects of some of the published books. Who makes these decisions? Too many times I feel editors aren’t in touch with what the buying public really wants. So this competition gives the end-user—children and parents—a say in what is published.

Also, we are working with several school districts this year to help bring the vote into the classroom, and the teachers are excited about having a fun language arts project for their students.

Sheri: The competition is in its third year. Can you tell us a bit about the first two winners and what has transpired with them?

Rita: The first competition winner, 12 Dog Days of Christmas in New York City, was a very difficult book that needed a lot of research. As of yet, it hasn’t been finalized because we had a problem with the illustrator who won the competition. By the time we got that person off the project and another one in place, we were a good year and a half behind schedule on the book. The book should be finalized this fall and will go to print by the end of the year with a projected pub date of December 2008.

The second competition winner, Don’t Eat the Bluebonnets, was chosen and we had a finalized book ready to go to the printer in three months. But it was a completely different kind of book that didn’t require a lot of research and graphic control like the first book does.

Just some tidbits about what has transpired over this last 12 months with the second winner, Don’t Eat the Bluebonnets.

The authors and illustrator have done multiple school visits, with nearly double that amount on the books already for this coming school year.
The book has been picked up by the Writers Alive! Program at the Katy Visual and Performing Arts Center. It is being made into a musical as part of the program, and will tour the state with KVPAC for the whole year. The book and play is facilitating the efforts of KVPAC to take this nonprofit to a higher level of awareness throughout the state.
Since the subject is wildflowers, the protagonist of the story is taking up the cause of wildflower preservation that was vacated by Lady Bird Johnson’s death this summer. The Got Bluebonnets? Campaign will launch at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas September 23, 2007. Enter your school in a drawing for bluebonnet seeds at the http:www.gotbluebonnets.com website.
We have managed to sell roughly thirty five hundred books in that twelve month timeframe as well, which isn’t bad for a small publisher.
The book has been nominated for several book awards, and we may know something shortly after this blog interview is posted.

Sheri: Illustrators do not pay a fee to participate. What are the benefits of illustrating for the competition?

Rita: You are right, the illustrators do not pay an entry fee, and they also get paid for their work. Illustration is a much more involved and complex undertaking than writing a story, so I felt the illustrator should be paid something for their time and involvement, hence their stipend for the illustration work. And, because the illustrator gets paid for their work, they get fewer copies of the book than the author.

I have been asked many times about having a competition for the illustrators, but a good picture book starts with the story. And, as the creative director of the competition, I feel the illustrator should be chosen for their style and skill in order to marry it with the story. The illustrations are going to make or break the book, to be really honest, so I hate to leave that aspect of the book to chance. If anyone can figure out a way to do an illustrators competition, please email me. I would love to hear from you.

Sheri: Will there be a fourth annual Picture Book Competition?

Rita: If you had asked me that back in March when I was reading all the stories and looking at going in the hole again on the costs of the competition, I would have probably said no. But working with this group of budding authors and illustrators who are so enthusiastic and eager to learn and participate, I have decided to give it at least one more year. So, the fourth round of the competition will launch simultaneously with the internet vote that will be from September 16-30, 2007. Deadline will again be on February 28, 2008.

And for every 300 entries, there will be one finalist’s story chosen to receive a publishing contract!

Sheri: As one of the 12 finalists in this years competition, let me end saying the last few months, working with Rita, has been the experience of a life time. Win or lose I do not regret it for a minute. Rita is a wonderful person to work with and I don't have a doubt in my mind about her dedication and sincerity when it comes to this competition.

Thanks Rita for stopping by!

For more information about the ABC's Annual Picture Book Competition, feel free to contact Rita Mills.

Rita Mills—713-937-9184

http://www.abcbookcompetition.org
http://www.bookconnectiononline.com
http://www.gotbluebonnets.com
http://www.bluebonnetsbootsandbooks.com

Wow! My poor neglected blog.

2007-09-12T16:31:00.000-05:00

It is hard to believe that the last time I posted here was in August. What a slacker. Well not really. I have been a busy-bee working on marketing my story for the ABC's 3rd Annual Picture Book Competition. Voting starts on Sunday!
I am very excited and hope that everyone else will be too when they see all the fun stuff in store on the "Spider & Fly" website during the competition. Make sure and check it out. There will be some great contests with some Awesome Authors. Trust me when I say you don't want to miss these contests!
Coming this Friday, I will be posting an Interview with Rita Mills, the editor of the competition. This is a must see. Rita answers some questions weighing on many peoples minds!
Hope to see you on Friday.

Happy Writing~
Sheri

In Search of My Muse

2007-08-19T23:00:00.000-05:00

I took a trip to the beach today. My muse seemed to have taken an unauthorized vacation and I was hell bent on getting her back. With kids in tow, I headed to the beach. Rain and all! We arrived and there she was lounging on the beach! My Muse! Unfortunately first site of me and her friend the sea swifted her away!

Then and there I decided if the sea was in cahoots with my muse she might as well take the other stuff too. I gladly left my self doubt, which the sea quickly obliged.

My fear was better left behind. There was a momentary hesitation, after all the sea is mighty what would be done with that! Eventually the sea broke and took it away.

Procrastination! Now that's a biggy. There was no caving in on this one. Seems the Sea has more procrastination than it knows what to do with. After great hesitation it swiftly pulled half of it away and left the other half stranded on the beach. Of course I couldn't litter so it returned home with me.

I decided that while my muse is quite the escape artist I had more tricks up my sleeves. I snatched a fishing pole from an innocent bystander and reeled her back in.

Proud of my accomplishments I returned home. Kids in tow. Unfortunately there was so much arguing on the two hour drive my muse became irritated. She jumped out the darn window somewhere on I95. Please feel free to contact me if you happen to find her lying around.

Footnote: Credit given to LJ's thatgirlygirl for the beach writing inspiration...
Crossposted to LJ

Wicked Lovely

2007-08-06T10:22:00.000-05:00

Wicked Lovely
written by: Melissa Marr

It took me long enough to get to this one. I am not the “fairy tale” type, in part, that might be what caused the delay. Once I began turning pages in Melissa Marr’s Wicked Lovely, I could not stop. I felt as though the faeries had poured upon my soul and took control of my being. I could not move from my spot on the couch until I had turned the last page. Seven hours after I opened the book, my only regret was I started reading at 9 pm. I might have read it in three, but Melissa so carefully placed every word on the page there wasn’t one I wanted to speed by.

Wicked Lovely is a superbly crafted work of art. It inveigles the reader to explore the world of faeries through Aislinn’s eyes. Bursting with malice and splendor, Melissa weaves a gripping tale of love and compassion. She creates a place for the artistic mind to delve into, un-thwarted.

Melissa Marr approaches issues, in Wicked Lovely, that many of today’s teens and young adults have to deal with. She does so brilliantly. Subtly touching on topics such as rape and casual sex, she allows the reader to have real emotions. At the same time, offering them sound solutions.

Bravo on a book I can see standing the test of time! I can’t wait to talk with my grandchildren’s children about this one!
(I don’t have grandkids yet by the way.)

cross posted to my LJ journal.

ALA Exhibits

2007-06-24T15:05:00.000-05:00

This was an awesome experience. I had so much fun checking everything out and putting faces with names. I got a TON of stuff and information. A few bits of information I picked up:

Handprint Books has a new website going up and they have a 2007 Fall catalogue! If you want to check it out you can go to http://www.handprintbooks.us/ It is just a beta site right now but you can access the new catalog.
Unnamed Editor shared this: Funniest submission was from someone who wanted to share their dinner! Submitted with food on it. Said editor laughed and said, “Even if I loved the story I would NOT have accepted it!” It did make it to the editor’s bulletin board as a shiny example. Same editor said on the thought of spaces after periods. “Doesn’t matter to me personally.” Wouldn’t make or break a story. It will eventually have to be with only one space before print but they wouldn’t reject because of it. (Doesn’t reflect everyone’s opinion may differ even among editors in the same house) Also, one editor in house may accept email submissions while another does not. What does this tell me: Know what your specific editor wants. Yes it does matter how you submit your ms even if it is REALLY good!
Chronicle books—Speaking to a marketing rep in the adult book section. She said that Chronicle is trying to break out of the mold of being known as mostly picture books. They are trying to publish more middle grade and YA titles.
There are A LOT of books out there. If you want to get published you better be willing to put the work behind it. Writing is the easy part!

I watched through the day and was amazed at how things worked. For example, when an author was signing they sold his/her books. When a new author came to sign they brought out their books and the others were set back. When they were promoting one author that is where the focus was. The effort put behind the authors is amazing.

It is amazing how big everything is. The world seems so vast, yet, within the walls of the exhibits everything felt so close. I have heard so many people say that after attending things like this that it is humbling. I agree it is. It is scary because there are so many books out there. There are. To me, it was motivating. Inspiring. Suddenly, it all seemed so much more within my reach. I felt like I could reach out and touch it! Not without a lot of work and perseverance, but touchable none-the-less!

Not pictured below is dlanthomas who I had the pleasure of meeting and spending the morning with walking around! (Thanks dlanthomas it was great chatting and checking everything out!)

Please note below: I watched Lois Lowry start signing early not starte. And my son Kurtis stole my copy of Twisted not stold! (See what you get when you rush to post something.) Oops! just found another-The hot spots weren't not wern't.

Rough, Tough Charley

2007-06-24T13:05:00.000-05:00

Rough, Tough Charley
Written By: Verla Kay
Illustrated by: Adam Gustavson

Verla Kay did a great job of entertaining and informing in Rough, Tough Charley. In a quick cryptic rhyme read I was finished with this book and smiling. I am not a historical fan but I am glad that I have added this book to my collection. She has made history fun. And the ending....I didn't expect. Clever, very clever!

Ruthie Bon Bair

2007-06-24T10:50:00.000-05:00

Ruthie Bon Bair: Do Not Go to Bed with Wringing Wet Hair

written by: Susan Lubner

Illustrated by: Bruce Whatley

I picked this book up at the ALA this weekend. Susan Lubner was there sporting a Ruthie Bon Bair wig and a smile. A vibrant author, who accordingly, wrote a vibrant picture book. Paired with awesome illustrations, this book tickled my four year olds funny bone. The rhyming text of the story kept it moving at a quick pace. I found myself tripped up a couple of times when the pattern of the rhyme changed, but not enough to lessen my over all thoughts of this wacky tale of some really wild hair!

8 things about me meme

2007-06-20T06:42:00.000-05:00

I got tagged by Stephanie at Colorado Writer
Here are the rules:

a. Each player lists 8 facts/habits about themselves.
b. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed.
c. At the end of the post, the player then tags 8 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

And here are the 8 Things about me!
1. I like pepper on my popcorn.
2. I HATE when people chomp ice around me. Can’t help it. Drives me NUTS! Can’t stand loud eating either.
3. I get the giggles when I am nervous. I hate this about me.
4. I collect teacups.
5. I love movies and books that make me cry!
6. I’m extremely jealous of mothers who can spend time with their kids and keep their houses spotless!
7. I love singing along with the radio. LOUDLY. I try to keep this behavior to the times when no one is home or I am in the car alone.
8. I find it extremely hilarious to see people in cars picking there noses. Do they really think they are alone?

Okay, so the following people are IT:

Tori http://britlitfantwin.livejournal.com/profile
Janet Gurtler http://janetgurtler.livejournal.com/profile
Cana Rensberger http://candycana.livejournal.com/profile
Amy Thomas http://dlanthomas.livejournal.com/

ALA

2007-06-19T08:15:00.000-05:00

I have decided that I am going to go check out the ALA in DC. Why not right? I am here and I should take advantage of it. I am a bit nervous. I hate venturing out solo. I am hoping to meet some of the great folks from the blueboards! Even if it is to just pop by the booth they are signing at. I thought about dragging my son with me but I think by days end he will be bored out of his mind. At 14 I think he would better spend his time by the pool.

I am excited to see the hustle and bustle and I am in hopes that it will be a huge motivator!

I will post about it all next week!

Finally!

2007-06-05T22:34:00.000-05:00

I ordered Hilda Must Be Dancing in April and it got lost in transit! I recieved my reordered copy yesterday. Love - Love - Love this book! My four year old was very happy when I told him this one did not have to go back to the library!

I reviewed this book below. I will still say though if you get a chance to read it do it!

Speak - Review

2007-06-01T18:50:00.000-05:00

Written by: Laurie Halse Anderson

http://www.writerlady.com/

This book was a great read. Laurie Halse Anderson did a fantastic job capturing my attention in this first person account of a troubled teens first year of high school. The emotions were very thoughtfully placed in a way that held my interest from beginning to end. She captured the ups and downs and awkwardness of this age brilliantly. I would definitely recommend this book the same as it was recommended to me.

I'm Excited To Announce!

2007-05-29T20:46:00.000-05:00

I am excited to announce that I made the finals in the ABC Picture Book Competition! They will be posting the results on the site soon! For those of you who are unfamiliar with the competition the next step is to have the story matched with an illustrator. In September they will post the stories and the illustration on their website for an online voting competition. A Picture Book "American Idol". The story with the highest amount of votes will win a publishing contract! Keep your eyes open for "Spider and Fly"!!!

Sweet Story

2007-04-25T14:49:00.000-05:00

Honey's Peanut Butter Adventure
Written by Tom C. Greer
Illustrations by Laurie A. Faust

Honey’s Peanut Butter Adventure is a fun story to read with delightful illustrations. Following Honey on her quest to get the peanut butter out of the top cabinet keeps you wondering just how this resourceful dog is going to get what she wants. A funny peek into the mischievous day of Honey brings a thumbs up from my four year old! We can’t wait to read the other Honey stories.

In Memory...

2007-04-20T07:06:00.000-05:00

In keeping the focus where it should be I urge everyone to follow the VT families request and remember the victims of this tragic day. I will join the nation in a moment of silence at noon today and encourage everyone reading this to do the same.
I don't know about others but I would rather hear of all the wonderful things in the lives of those taken than the horrid bits of the ~~man~~ thing that took them.

Prayers Out To All The Families and Friends.

A PB Review

2007-04-13T12:41:00.000-05:00

Hilda Must Be Dancing
By Karma Wilson
Illustrated by Suzanne Watts
This is one of the greatest PB in rhyme I have ever read! I love the way she uses the sounds and gives you such a visual even without illustrations. Not to lesson the awesome illustrations! The combination of the two makes for an absolutely fantastic book! This one is being returned to the library and I am going to Amazon to get my own copy! Definately a keeper. My son loves it too! We have read it at least 20 times!

Much To Do

2007-03-14T20:54:00.001-05:00

Much to Do….

The laundries piled to the sky…
The dishes pile twice as high…
The garbage flows onto the floor…
But that’s not all there’s much, much more!

The children say they must be fed…
My husband says the fish is dead…
There’s someone knocking at the door…
But that’s not all there’s much, much more!

There’s dust on top of everything…
The bathtub has a lovely ring…
The junk is mounting in the drawer…
But that’s not all there’s much, much more!

The vacuum cleaner needs to run…
The plants all need to get some sun…
The dog needs out just like before…
But that’s not all there’s much, much more!

The school just called they need me there…
It seems my child needs underwear…
I need to patch his pants that tore…
But that’s not all there’s much, much more!

I don’t think there’s an end insight…
So I will choose to sit and write!

Things that make you go OMG!

2007-03-05T22:29:00.000-05:00

Kira-Kira
by Cynthia Kadohata
Winner of the 2005 Newbery Medal

This is one of the most touching emotional books I have ever read. Set in the 50's it tells a story of a young Japanese girl and her sister in America. I don't want to ruin it for anyone who may read it I only suggest that you read it armed with a box of tissue!

Cynthia Kadohata wrote Kira-Kira in first person which in my opinion leant strongly to the success of the story.

If you are intersted you can find out more about Cynthia Kadohata look here:
http://www.kira-kira.us/

You Are What You Read...

2007-03-04T13:09:00.000-05:00

The Pigman

by Paul Zindel

On my new quest to get my feet wet in writing a Middle Grade Novel I have comitted to reading, reading, reading, what is currently out there. I picked up The Pigman (though it turned out to be more of a YA novel) Paul Zindel uses his two main characters to tell the story with each one, (one male and one female), alternating chapters to tell thier bit of the story. This was great and told a very interesting tale. I can't wait to read more of what he has written. Next on my list for Paul Zindel is "The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-In-The-Moon Marigolds" a Pulitzer prize winner and also the "Legacy of Pigman"

Critique Groups and What Not

2007-03-04T10:51:00.000-05:00

I have spent the weekend setting up an online critique group and writer's nook. The crit group is members only but the writer's nook is going to be a little cubby with writing tips and what-nots that I find along the way that really help me as a writer. Hopefully they will be of help to someone else along the way. You can check it out here The Writer's Nook.

I Did It

2007-02-28T15:58:00.000-05:00

I Did It!

Today was the deadline for the ABC's Children's Book Competition.

At the beginning of the year I set my goals to submit to both Highlights annual contest,(this year was mystery), and the ABC's Competition. I can now say that I have completed both of these goals! Fingers are crossed now that one out of the four stories I submitted pops out and makes a name for itself! I am now moving on to another arena of writing for a bit. My next goal is to dive into the world of Middle Grade Novels. This is new for me but I am very excited.

Happy Writing!

A Tissue

2007-02-26T10:03:00.000-05:00

Struggling with my four year old to blow his nose seems to be the theme around the house these days. I came across this little bit I wrote years ago for my first son. Thought I'd share:

A Tissue

On Monday mother caught me with my finger up my nose...
She told me in her "Mother" voice "That is not where it goes!"
On Tuesday as I dug for gold I tried to not get caught.
But I swear mother's know your every move and every thought!
On Wednesday I was pickin' don't you know she caught that too.
So I asked her when the boogers caught what else can I do?
Thursday as my finger ventured up in my nose just so,
She peeked around the corner and softly said "Please Blow."
On Friday when that booger came I went ahead and blew...
But by the looks on Mother's face I should have used Tissue!

Snow Day! (again)

2007-02-26T09:37:00.000-05:00

"A Peek Out My Window"

It is not like it was a surprise. As soon as the first snowflake fell the kids were checking the snow closure list bi-hourly! Thrilled at the prospect of yet another snowday! Here I sit near panic as the 28th quickly approaches and I have yet to finalize what I am going to send out for the ABC writing competition. Though some may disagree with the basis of this competition I think it is a fantastic way to light a fire under my backside to do something. I am such a procrastinator! (Hence the reason I am blogging instead of writing!) Deadlines are great for me. As for the fee to enter the competition, $55.00 for a chance to get 1,000 books in hand! Shoot my hubby spends more than that on lottery tickets and what are the chances there? In case you are unfamiliar with this competition you can check it out at:
http://www.abcbookcompetition.org

I am going to sign off for now and get to work. Much to do. Much to do.

Happy Writing!

Great Find!

2007-02-13T14:26:00.000-05:00

Where Do You Get Your Ideas?
Favorite Authors Reveal Their Secrets.
by Sandy Asher
Illustrations by Susan Hellard

I found this great book at a used book store yesterday. It is intended ( I think) for "younger" writers. It is a gem in my eyes. It was very quick to read through but FULL of ideas to trigger the creative muse in all of us. It was kind of a refresher so to speak on how to kick start that idea engine. The author compared a writer to an oyster and a grain of sand to ideas. Talking about how an oyster works a grain of sand until it becomes a pearl noting that the same grain of sand put in a lobsters shell would just be a grain of sand. Sandy Asher author of Where Do You Get Your Ideas? Says this: "Non-writers think of it as magic: An idea falls from the sky, bounces off your head, and lands on the page, ready to read. Writers - and oysters - know better." I highly recommend this book to anyone who ever gets a case of writer's block.

Happy Writing!

Snow Day!

2007-02-07T11:34:00.000-05:00

Do you remember "Snow Days"? The anticipation of sitting by the radio and listening for your school to be the one that was closed for the day. The excitement when you heard it finally announced. The thrill to be the first one to plop down on a clean canvas of snow and make a snow angel........Wasn't it great?

Well, the kids are on a snow day! It is 10 degrees however so I am not encouraging the outside thing. I will however before the end of the day bring the snow in. With big bins and mittens we will still manage to, at the least, create tabletop snowmen. As for the snow angels well maybe we can go out for just a minute or two.

Writing will be less productive due to the increased noise level for the day. So I am going to convert the time and use it to set up my writing area. I will try and post pics if I get it done. On the up side it could be a great day for inspiration to pop into the picture. I am sure there's a story in this day somewhere!

Happy Snow Day!

Welcome!

2007-02-05T19:42:00.000-05:00

I have been writing for most of my life. It always has and always will be a very intricate part of who I am. My focus has changed throughout the years but writing for me is like wrapping up in grandma's quilt on a cold winter night and drinking cocoa by the fireplace. Writing is my cozy.

Goading the Pen is my little outlet on the Internet to express, share, vent, rejoice, and maybe debate the many joys and disappointments that accompany the wonderful world of Writing for Children!

So with that I am off to write I have a deadline to make!!

2007-02-05T13:14:00.000-05:00

*********************************************************************************

boy

boy

smile

smile