ONE WEEK LEFT to enter the MONSTORE Photo Contest

What are you waiting for?  There is ONE WEEK LEFT!  Forwhat, you ask?  To enter the best MONSTORE contest ever!  Read the rules below...

MARCIE'S MONSTORE PHOTO CONTEST

1. Be a Follower of this blog.
2. Buy a copy of THE MONSTORE. (Order it from places that already have it: IndieBound, Amazon, BN.com)
3. Read the book. (Seriously. Its good. You will thank me.)
4. Review the illustrations and pick a monster that you would buy from The Monstore.
5. Name that monster and decide what it's unique monsterly talent is (what your monster does!)
6. Take a picture of yourself pointing to your monster in the book.
7. Post your picture on your own social media and tell us about your Monstore purchased monster.
8. Also, email the picture to marciecolleen@gmail.com

One lucky winner will receive ONE PICTURE BOOK MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUE from the fantabulous Tara Lazar! (plus, a signed bookplate and gummi worms!)

You have until 5pm EST Friday, July 5th! So get buying, reading and snapping.

A Big Step Closer to "the Box"

When I started on this crazy journey I had often found myself daydreaming of "the Box".  You know.  The box  that the mailman delivers to your doorstep that includes copies of my first published book.  Yeah.  That box.

Of course, there have been obstacles along the way, one of which being that I only have a mailslot at my Brooklyn apartment, so delivering "the Box" will prove difficult for the mailman...unless I write really teeny-tiny books.

But in all seriousness, I am getting closer to "the Box".

My dream is becoming more of a reality.

I am proud to announce that I have an agent.  That's right.  Santa might not have delivered, but my hardwork, dedication and general talent (don't worry, my head won't get big now) DID DELIVER!

I have signed with Susan Hawk of The Bent Agency.

Needless to say, I am thrilled!

Of course, I now realize that with great power comes great responsibility...or something like that.  (thanks, Stan Lee)

No longer is my writing something I just do with my laptop, alone in my apartment or at a local coffeehouse.  Nope.  As a writer friend of mine said, "it is now an occupation."

Wow!  I have an occupation.  I am a writer. 

And therefore, I have work to do. 

In fact, I need to get to some revisions right now.

But I promise you, faithful readers, to share my story of "how I got my agent" next week. 

Til then, Happy Writing!  Oh, with a little happy dancing to boot!

Bullying: A Call for Story

I sat down last night and watched the documentary "Bully" (2011) for the first time.  Needless to say, it was hard to watch.  These poor little kids (and big kids, too) who are terrorized and victimized every single day because they are different.  My heart was ripped.

I thought of another movie I had watched recently, "Hardball" (2001) about a group of young kids from the projects of Chicago who form a baseball team.  At first, the kids are hard to take.  Foul mouthed.  Full of anger.  Lots of posturing.  Not your typical cute kids in a Disney movie.  But as the movie progresses and more of their individual stories unravel, I fell so in love with these kids.  I rooted for them.  I cried for them.  I felt for them.

It is so hard to see people who are different or difficult and not pass judgement.  I fight this everyday.  I might see a pack of teenagers on the subway acting all loud and rude.  I immediately pass judgement.  Or I see someone begging on the street, strung out on drugs.  I pass judgement.

When I started to notice this reaction, I invented a little game.  The second I want to pass judgement, I instead write the person's story in my head.  I imagine the hardships that got them where they are.  I write their backstory in my head.  I develop their hopes and dreams.  I conjure up strengths and weaknesses.  I give them fears that they must triumph over.

Bottomline, its a great writing exercise.  But it also builds empathy within me.

When we truly know someone, its harder to turn a blind eye or pass judgement.  When we understand where someone is coming from, it softens our heart to the things that usually keep us hardened.

That is the beauty of story.  Story creates empathy.  Story touches the heart.

I know there is a push lately to focus more on non-fiction and informational texts through the Common Core State Standards.  The emphasis is on building skills that are necessary for the workforce: sorting, categorizing, comparing, evaluating, analyzing, and reasoning.  Less and less emphasis is placed on how a text makes the reader feel.  Less focus is placed on texts that might make us better people, not just workers.

If we are not careful, we will eliminate the emotional connection, the story.  And therefore, we will no longer be inadvertantly teaching empathy.  We may as well teach computers, instead of children.

The fact is, we have a bullying problem in our schools.  Yet, fellow Storymakers...listen!  You have a place here.  Tell the stories.  The world needs YOU! The world needs more empathy.

Celebrate Blumes-Day

Mo Willems says that when he writes a book he is creating a friend for a child. 

If that is true, then Judy Blume created friends I met in early elementary school and stayed close with through high school and into adulthood.

My earliest Judy Blume memory was in the 1st grade.  Our Reading Workbook included a "pull out" copy of THE ONE IN THE MIDDLE IS THE GREEN KANGAROO.

I tore out that book and folded the pages nicely, added a construction paper cover that I illustrated with crayons and carried it everywhere!  I was so proud of that book.

Through the years, Judy provided giggles about siblings, freckles and first kisses. She also was my first introduction to some candid conversations on menstruation, body issues and bullying.

But most importantly, Judy Blume helped foster in me a love of reading...and I carry every day--just like my GREEN KANGAROO.

What is your favorite Judy Blume memory?

Marcie's MONSTORE Photo Contest

Hey lovers of Kidlit! 

Did you hear about my fabulous MONSTORE Photo Contest? 

I'm thinking you didn't, because so far the entries are slim.
What are you waiting for? 

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you are waiting for your copy to arrive and the mailman is being slow.  Yeah.  That's it.  Let's blame it on the mailman! 

In case you don't remember the rules.  Here they are:

 

 

MARCIE'S MONSTORE PHOTO CONTEST

1. Be a Follower of this blog.
2. Buy a copy of THE MONSTORE. (Order it from places that already have it: IndieBound, Amazon, BN.com)
3. Read the book. (Seriously. Its good. You will thank me.)
4. Review the illustrations and pick a monster that you would buy from The Monstore.
5. Name that monster and decide what it's unique monsterly talent is (what your monster does!)
6. Take a picture of yourself pointing to your monster in the book.
7. Post your picture on your own social media and tell us about your Monstore purchased monster.
8. Also, email the picture to marciecolleen@gmail.com

One lucky winner will receive ONE PICTURE BOOK MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUE from the fantabulous Tara Lazar! (plus, a signed bookplate and gummi worms!)

You have until 5pm EST Friday, July 5th! So get buying, reading and snapping.

And spread the word!

Thank you for entering, Carrie Charley Brown.

Carrie says, "Upon visiting The Monstore, I would purchase this little fuzzy monster that appears to have a handle. I would name him "Zip!" His talent would be zipping over to the messes on our kitchen floor to clean up!"

The Evaporated Writer

The night before a marathon, my coaches always tell us to do one particular thing to make the morning go smoothly despite the jitters and excitement: create an "Evaporated Runner."  This entails laying all clothing and accessories, including shoes, nutrition and sunscreen out on the floor so they are easily found in the morning.  Afterall, when facing 13.1 or 26.2 miles, the last thing that should occupy your brain on race day is where to find clean socks.

Well, this weekend I am attending the New Jersey SCBWI conference and believe me, there are jitters and plenty of excitement.

In a way I feel like I am preparing for the BIG race. 

3 days.
3 one-on-one critiques
One 4 minute agent pitch
One First Page Session
7 workshop sessions
And countless kidlit friends to see and make.

So...to help prepare, I present to you my "Evaporated Writer."

Items starting at the top and moving clockwise:

1.  Glasses.  You never know when you want to look smarter.  For example, when someone asks me about the Teacher's Guides I create for picture books...need to look smart. 

2.  Cute white vintage sweater.  It gets cold in those hotel conference centers. 

3.  A box of new business cards.  Complete with my face on them.  Also included the new website: www.thisismarciecolleen.com.

4.  A small notepad and several pens.  Of course, I am a writer so I NEVER leave the house without a notepad.  And you never know when your pen will suddenly run out of ink!

5.  An accordian file complete with several copies of my submission-ready manuscripts, WiPs manuscripts for workshop sessions and my First Page Session manuscript.

6. Rick Springfield's Greatest Hits.  There is a karaoke party on Saturday night and this chick's been practicing.

7.  Top and cute skirt.  Gotta look good.  We might be writers.  But, honey...we got style!

8.  Boots.  They were made for walking.  Channeling my inner-Nancy Sinatra.

9.  Books by friends that need autographing.  So bringing my own Sharpie, too.

10.  Deoderant.  Never go to conference without it.  There will be sweating. There will be nerves.  Don't let there be stink, too.

*Not pictured ~ wine glass and wine for after all the sessions each night. 

Alright, I am off!

What items would your "Evaporated Writer" include? 

Tara Lazar & THE MONSTORE (Plus a chance to win a PB Critique from Tara!)

Picture it:  New York City.  Summer 2011.

An aspiring picture book author sits alone in a Brooklyn apartment.

Isolated.

She opens to the SCBWI Bulletin (july/august 2011) and on page 24 she reads an article by Joan Y. Edwards called "Find Your Creative Edge."

This article simply says, "If you want to be creative, be with creative people." It then lists several online projects to help a writer/illustrator connect with others and get the creative juices flowing.

One such project mentioned is Picture Book Idea Month (PiBoIdMo) run by Tara Lazar in the month of November, which challenges writers to write one picture book idea a day for the 30 days of November. 

The aspiring writer takes out her datebook.  Puts a large star on the month of November.  And patiently waits.

It sounds dramatic.  But I look back at that moment and I realize that it was the beginning.  The beginning of my place in a community so encouraging, so creative, so supportive and so much fun!  And the door of that community was opened to me by Tara Lazar.

Needless to say, I love the woman to death!

We have roomed together at conferences.  Spent hours on the phone gabbing about our manuscripts and story concepts.  She's provided wonderful guidance when I ask her even the wackiest questions or I am standing on the edge needing encouragement to keep going.  And we even founded the Official Rick Springfield KidLit Fan Club together!  Tara has been an amazing friend and mentor as I travel on this crazy journey.  She's the best.

Tara's debut picture book, THE MONSTORE, illustrated by James Burks (Aladdin, 2013) hit stores on June 4th, 2013!  I am so happy for her. 

THE MONSTORE is a romp filled with creepily cute monsters, silly sibling antics and a mysterious trapdoor!  Its sure to be a favorite of kids and parents alike.  And warning: giggles will ensue.  You were warned.

THE MONSTORE is sure to become a staple in many households at bedtime.

However, Tara needs YOUR help getting the book into the hands of parents and kids everywhere, because unfortunately, it will NOT be carried by Barnes & Noble. 

That's right.  You heard me. 

According to Tara's blog, "Barnes & Noble and Simon & Schuster continue their dispute over ebook pricing and in-store promotions, so the bookseller has cut back on orders from my publisher. Drastically."  You can read Tara's blog post about the issue here.

What does this all mean?  Tara explains...

"The general public might not know my book even exists. Sales may suffer. Hope of a sequel will grow dim. I’ve worked four long years to get this book into readers’ hands. FOUR YEARS. And now because of this dispute’s timing, well, I can’t say it. I can’t. It’s not nice. And I’m a nice girl.
So this means I need you, my blog readers, more than ever."

Alrighty, Tara!  We are going to do what we can.

MARCIE'S MONSTORE PHOTO CONTEST

 

1. Be a Follower of this blog.
2. Buy a copy of THE MONSTORE. (Order it from places that already have it: IndieBound, Amazon, BN.com)
3. Read the book.  (Seriously.  Its good.  You will thank me.)
4. Review the illustrations and pick a monster that you would buy from The Monstore.
5. Name that monster and decide what it's unique monsterly talent is (what your monster does!)
6. Take a picture of yourself pointing to your monster in the book.
7. Post your picture on your own social media and tell us about your Monstore purchased monster.
8. Also, email the picture to marciecolleen@gmail.com

One lucky winner will receive ONE PICTURE BOOK MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUE from the fantabulous Tara Lazar! (plus, a signed bookplate and gummi worms!)

You have until 5pm EST Friday, July 5th! So get buying, reading and snapping.

And spread the word!

Embracing the Dream

"Not long ago and not far away, a Nobody named Ordinary lived in the Land of Familiar. 

Every day was pretty much the same for Ordinary.  In the mornings he got up and went to his Usual Job.  After work, he ate almost the same dinner he'd eaten the evening before.  Then he sat in his recliner and watched the box that mesmerized most Nobodies on most nights.

Sometimes, Best Friend came over to join Ordinary in front of the box.  Sometimes, Ordinary went to his Parents' and they watched together.

For the most part, not much happened in Familiar that hadn't happened before.  Ordinary thought he was content.  He found the routines reliable.  He blended in with the crowd.  And mostly, he wanted only what he had.

Until one day Ordinary noticed a small, nagging feeling that something big was missing from his life.  Or maybe the feeling was that he was missing from something big.  He wasn't sure.

The feeling grew.  And even though Nobodies in Familiar didn't generally expect the unexpected, Ordinary began to wish for it."

opening of "The Dream Giver" by Bruce Wilkinson

 

Throughout my crazy journey in pursuing a career in writing, I have found myself reading this modern-day parable several times.  It tells the story of Ordinary, who dares to leave the Land of Familiar to pursue his Big Dream.

 

Sometimes there are days when I wonder why I left my established Theater Education career to be a nanny and pursue writing.  There are some days I even wonder if I should turn back.

 

And although I cannot go into too much detail right now, I can say that today I know I am on the right path.  I am following my Dream.  A Dream that I believe is part of the very fabric of my soul.  Something that I was actually created to do.

 

It feels good.

 

More to come...