Friendspiration Friday: Tracey Berglund

Remember Pop Up Video on VH1?  I loved that show.  And you know what?  I know the talented woman who designed all of those little icons that would pop up along with the facts!  How fun!

The first day that Tracey attended our Critique Group, I knew she was ultra cool and I wanted to know her better.  With the soul of an artist, the whimsy of a child and the guts of a rockstar I now know that she is cooler than cool!

Tracey is the only artist/illustrator in our group and I absolutely love being able to "see" her characters, as well as read about them.  Needless to say, I am quite taken with her style.  The images here do not do her justice.  Please take the time to visit her website http://www.tra4art.com/ to see more. 

I am honored to introduce Tracey to The Write Routine today. 

What do you do in real life?

At the moment I work with mobile apps and technology in Dumbo, Brooklyn with some really talented people.

In the past I’ve been a creative director, branding and strategy consultant, and even a T-shirt designer. When I was younger I taught english as a second language to foreigners. I’ve also been an art teacher.

In real, real life I’m an illustrator and a single mother of two wonderful sons.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I never planned to be a writer. But I’ve always written and illustrated.

I’ve kept journals with personal writing and sketches of my physical and mental travels for decades now.

Three years ago, on a whim, I started creating picture books and have seven now. Two of them, Pearl the Porcupine, and The Three Little Warthogs are on up e-book platforms, U-tales and Wonderville.

I’ve always collected beautiful picture books, even when I am in foreign countries and don’t understand the language they are written in. I have some beautiful ones written in Chinese and Arabic and love to read the French and Spanish ones I have, albeit very slowly.

How often to do you write? Where? What time of day?

I am most lucid in the mornings between 7:03 -10:31am. (Really!)

As soon as I wake up I write down as many snippets of my dreams as I can remember. Then I make coffee, breakfast and lunch for school and then when my son leaves, I perch on a stepstool by my back window that overlooks my neighbors’ gardens, and watch the birds fly around.

That’s when I start to write and paint.

At weekends and on Fridays I like to sit in bed as I write.

I used to think that ‘real writers’ had expensive desks and smoked cigarettes and incessantly drank coffee.

Then I read that Marcel Proust wrote in bed, Toni Morrison wrote in a motel room and Ben Franklin wrote in the bathtub.

I guess the main thing is to be comfortable.

What was your favorite story/book as a child? and why?

‘GREEN EGGS AND HAM’ by Dr. Seuss.

“Why? I love it’s rhythm and absurdity. And of course, the illustrations are sublime!”

My kids and l adored all of William Steig’s stories and illustrations especially DR.DESOTO, AMOS & BORIS, PETE”S A PIZZA and SYLVESTER AND THE MAGIC PEBBLE.

I’ve read that Steig would ask his kids and grandkids questions like:

“Would you rather be a pimple or a wart?” Why?”

Then they’d have to explain and their answers were so hysterical and opened up such silly creativity. I love that. Personally I’d rather be a pimple, because it rhymes with so many other good words like “dimple, simple, and periwinkle--well,almost!”

What kind of stories do you like to write? Where do you get your inspiration?  You can add if there is anything you have had published and can highlight.

My approach to writing is not very glamorous.  I seem to ‘release’ stories that are welling up inside of me.

It’s actually more like vomiting. It’s the same with sketching- I draw what captures my own imagination and then follow wherever it leads.

I would love to work with a great editor more than anything else.

My most recent story is called “SOUP-A-FLY” about a fly that loves soup and mischievously seasons a French Chef’s soup ‘on the fly’, so to speak.

I am also sending out “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” about a pigeon, peacock, and Rasta parrot  who befriend one another in New York City.

Lots of my illustration has been published over the years and is on tv, in magazines, on the web, on clothing, for corporations, etc.

My boyfriend, a musician, is presently creating an animated iPad app of PEARL THE PORCUPINE, my first and perhaps favorite story. It’s about the special friendship between Ralph, the Turtle, Pearl the Porcupine and Cyril the Centipede.  I truly appreciate the extra dimensions of sound and animation that he brings to it.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a modern dancer artist explorer thinker who designed record covers for Led Zeppelin.

And I wanted to marry a rock star.

If you could go back in time and tell your 8 year old self one thing, what would it be?

I’d want to tell her a thousand things.

But in a nutshell, (must watch Mike Meyers skit ‘in a nutshell’…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKMK3XGO27k) (really!)

I’d say “Tracey, Be Bold. Your life won’t be easy, but it will be filled with adventure.

You’ll often find yourself swimming against the current, but struggling will come to define you better than anything else could. Stay far away from the maddening crowd.”

I’d also tell my 8 year old self to keep wearing polka dots, stripes and glitter.

What is the greatest piece of writing advice you have ever received?

“Use less words and say it in pictures.”

I’ve been fortunate in that I’ve received some advice on my stories from Frances Foster, the publisher of FSG books for Young Readers. She and her assistant editor, Susan Dobinick have been inspirational and encouraged me to let my illustration tell a lot more of the story.

Later thought: but where?

I believe that when talent catches up with perseverance anything can happen.

Marcie, thanks so much for allowing me to participate in your inspirational blog!

Do you have a Friendspiration that you would like to introduce on a future Friday?  Email marciecolleen@gmail.com to sign up!

Wednesday Writers Weigh In: 10 Banned Picture Books

Its Banned Books Week.  So what Picture Books have made the list?  You might be surprised.

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, banned in some U.S. areas for, and  "being an allegorical political commentary".

In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak, for nudity when Mickey loses his clothes in the middle of the night.

A Light In The Attic by Shel Silverstein, apparently for a single poem and accompanying illustration which suggests that children could avoid washing dishes by breaking them.

Sylvester And The Magic Pebble by William Steig, for a quite ridiculous reason, possibly the most ridiculous of all these: the depiction of the characters as animals, particularly the police as pigs, apparently upset people.

Where The Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein has been banned because the poem "Ladies First" apparently supports cannibalism; I would have never even thought of this, considering that the cannabilistic king is portrayed as evil in that he will be eating the narrator.

The Five Chinese Brothers by Claire Hutchet Bishop was banned because it is deemed too violent.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, which some apparently considered sexist.

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson for portraying the true story of a gay penguin couple at the Central Park Zoo in NYC who raise an egg together.

The Sissy Duckling by Harvey Fierstein is a gay portrayal of "The Ugly Ducking" story.

The Three Little Pigs by James Marshall is not only challenged because of the violence, but also on the grounds that pigs as food might offend the Muslim community.

Writers Weigh In!  What are some other Banned and/or Challenged Picture Books out there?

Besides reading these wonderful stories, what else can we do to celebrate them this week?

Can I encourage you to change your profile picture for the rest of the week to one of these books with a link back to this page?

WriWOPi: Tammi Sauer

I am so excited to once again run the ever popular series Writing Without Pictures (or WriWOPi, as I now call it) in which published Picture Book authors share their experiences of NOT being the illustrator of their work. 

I am excited to bring WriWoPi to you every Monday in the month of October.  I have scheduled some extremely talented nationally-recognized authors and its sure to be a good time. 

Today we re-launch the series with the ever-amazing Tammi Sauer! 

The first time I picked up a book by Tammi Sauer I believe it was Me Want Pet (illustrated by Bob Shea).  I was immediately struck by the simplicity of language, the engaging wacky humor, the perfect read-aloud pacing and the brilliant marriage of words and pictures.   Therefore, I was thrilled when Tammi agreed to stop by The Write Routine and contribute to WriWOPi.  Thank you, Tammi!

Take it away...

I love so much about being a children’s book author, but one of my FAVORITE parts is seeing the art for the very first time.

Usually, this event begins with an out of the blue email from an editor that lets me know the art for the book is attached. At this point, I am filled with excitement/hope/panic. I take a breath, try very hard not to have a heart attack, then open the file.

And Every Single Time, I have been blown away. As a writer, I try to build a lot of heart and humor into my manuscripts, but that’s just my layer. The illustrators that I have been paired with have always taken my words to a new and much more impressive level.

 Dan Santat, for instance, made Elvis Poultry a bit of a diva in Bawk & Roll. Who knew that the King of Bawk and Roll had a stylist, a masseuse, and a beverage-toting pig at his disposal? I certainly didn’t.

My favorite page in Mostly Monsterly came almost entirely from Scott Magoon. He offered this brilliant diagram of Bernadette:

On top of all that talent, those guys are a lot of fun.  Evidence:

Dan and Tammi
photo credit: Rita Crayon Huang, Copyright ©2010, SCBWI



Scott and Tammi
photo credit: Dana Sullivan, Copyright ©2012, SCBWI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh Nuts! was recently released, and Dan Krall did a phenomenal job with the art. This book takes place in a zoo. Dan even made a lot of the zoo-goers resemble the animals they were visiting. I would have never thought of that! You can see evidence of Dan’s genius in the book’s trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KBPZfPH8tM&feature=youtu.be

Dan also created wildly funny photos of the chipmunks as they prepared for their September 18 debut.

Click here for Cutesy, Blinky, and Bob’s publicity shots:  http://tamarak.livejournal.com/336597.html

My latest book is Princess in Training. It stars an unconventional princess named Viola Louise Hassenfeffer who is more into skateboarding and diving into the moat than being prim and proper.

Joe completely captured the spirit of Viola Louise Hassenfeffer.

And he gave me quite a surprise. In the story I have these lines:

Madame Gertrude parted the curtains. 

Behold!” she said. “It’s time for the Royal Bash!”

In my head, the Royal Bash was a fancy ball. But Joe came up with something way more inventive and hilarious.

That’s the wonderful part about having others illustrate your work. New thoughts, experiences, and imaginations come into play, not just mine. As a writer, I feel I offer a solid starting place. But it’s the illustrators I’ve had the good fortune to work with who have made good things great.

Tammi Sauer has sold more than a dozen picture books. In addition to winning awards, her books have gone on to do some wonderful things. Cowboy Camp was developed into a musical in Katy, Texas. Mostly Monsterly was selected for the 2012 Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories program. And Chicken Dance was released in French which makes her feel extra fancy. www.tammisauer.com

Friendspiration Friday: Pauletta Brooks

Let the jealousy continue as I introduce yet another amazing member of my Critique Group.

Pauletta Brooks is a class act.  She is a creative soul with a light playful spirit and a sophisticated, wise disposition.  Her stories are a blend of emotional weight and whimsy.  It doesn't surprise me that she sits upon her fire escape, a la Holly Golightly, and writes. 

Please welcome Pauletta Brooks...

 

 

What do you do in real life?     

"REAL LIFE", as in making a living?? I have a jewelry design business. It keeps me always a bit frantic and on the edge of insanity, but also keeps me in touch with a creative side of my brain and keeps my hands out of trouble!

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?  

When I realized something other than transcendental meditation was needed to get my mind to relax. I never actually call myself a 'writer' by the way. When I was a kid I'd write poetry, plays or funny ad campaigns for TV commercials, but I also struggled with writing in school. It never came easy to me. Writing picture books has been a great joy for me primarily because I don't consider myself a 'writer' in the formal sense and can therefore enjoy the process without the worry of having to get published.

How often do you write? Where? What time of day?     

I find my brain is most relaxed in the late afternoon, when many of the To Do items have been tackled and I can grab a few moments to sit out on my fire escape and work on some of the ideas that have been floating around my head.  It's sporadic, for sure. I keep a notebook filled with ideas for stories. A lot of 'starts' waiting to be worked on. When the mood strikes, I grab that notebook and will write and edit. I generally have to remove myself from all other distractions. But it becomes "my time" and I always feel rewarded. 

What was your favorite story/book as a child? and why?        

I read and reread The Phantom Tollbooth so many times. As well, Edith Hamilton's Greek Mythology. Both are books that take you on a journey to a fantasy place but not in a sci-fi way.

What kind of stories do you like to write? Where do you get your inspiration?             

I don't look for inspiration, somehow it finds me. Today for example, as I was walking along 14th St there were two elderly people speaking to each other. Clearly, hard of hearing, they both spoke in a volume that allowed me to hear their conversation halfway down the block. The woman, about 4' 2", well over 80 and overly saturated with rouge on her cheeks, asked the man "So, what-a-ya' gonna go eat?'  His response was, "Well, because I am a cannibal, I will have to eat you first, then maybe a BLT". This was an odd and unexpected thing to hear and could easily inspire a story. I think I'm more suited to concept books though as I fancy myself an 'idea' person more than a 'word' person.

What did you want to be when you grew up?       

Always an artist of some sort. I had a fascination for making things: dances, puppets, doll clothes, stories or plays with costumes, mud cakes…. I never wanted to be anything other than just a kid in a kid world.

If you could go back in time and tell your 8 year old self one thing, what would it be?             

Don't let others hold you back. You don't have to be the best, you just have to be.

What is the greatest piece of writing advice you have ever received?                      Lately, 2 things have hit home:   1.Stop writing and start listening;  2.ECONOMY of words. It only takes 6 words to tell a whole story. 

Do YOU have a Friendspiration that you would like to introduce us to on a future Friday?  Email me at marciecolleen@gmail.com and we will set that up.

Wednesday Writers Weigh In: Why?

Has anyone ever asked you "why?"

Well, just last week, while discussing a manuscript with someone, I was asked.  "Why do you want to write Picture Books and be published?"

Of course, many of us could answer with "I have stories that need to be told", "I want to make kids happy", "I wanna make people laugh", etc  But have you ever TRULY thought about why being published means something to you?

Let's face it, even if we wanted it to, this is not about becoming rich and famous.  :)

It got me thinking.  What is it about life after first publication that excites me? 

Before I even knew what kind of books I wanted to write, I have had the fantasy of opening "the box" and seeing several copies of a book with my name on it.  I have also had a recurring fantasy about having a book launch and signing at Books of Wonder here in NYC.  But both of those are just moments and don't quite answer the question.

What is it about the life of the author that I want to lead? 

Here are just a few of my "author fantasies":

• School and Library visits
• As a former teacher I would LOVE to be able to go back into the classroom as the Guest Speaker and spend time with the kids.
• Special Events
• I am a people person, so manning a table full of my books to sell and be signed sounds divine!  Princeton Book Festival here I come...some day...
• Workshop Presenter at conferences.
• Writing Instructor
• Again, I miss my teaching days and would LOVE to be able to teach writing at Gotham Writers Workshop or the equivalent.  In fact, Gotham does not have a class that is solely Picture Book.  They lump all Children's Writing (PB, MG, YA) into one class.  But I would love to change that once I am published.

What is it about the "published author" life that excites you?  How do you see yourself after publication?

I Heart Picture Book Academy!

I have been quiet about the online class I have been taking for the past 3 weeks, but I can't hold it in any longer.  I am absolutely LOVING Dr. Mira Reisberg's Picture Book Academy and I want everyone to know it!!

Last autumn I took my very first writing class at Gotham Writers Workshop in NYC.  I had the option of participating in either an online version of the class or a once a week class in Greenwich Village.  I chose to take the "live" class thinking that online classes just weren't for me.  In fact, I had a long list of reasons why I was against online classes. 

Fast forward one year.  I have had two Gotham classes under my belt, along with various workshops and presentations at two conferences.  I am really progressing in my writing...yet life is much much busier!  Although I desired to take another writing class before the end of 2012, I could not seem to find one that fit my schedule.  And truth is, I do not have a consistent day or evening to commit.

Enter Dr. Mira Reisberg and The Picture Book Academy's new e-course "The Craft and Business of Writing Children's Picture Books."  Now at first glance, this looks like just another introduction to  of picture book writing classes.  And I wasn't quite sure that I wanted to spend money on a class that was going to just focus on the basics. 

And then I read further...

The cost for this 5 week adventure includes:
-- a one-hour one-on-one Skype or email consultation with me, Dr. Mira Reisberg (a $95 value)
-- access to all course materials for the 5 weeks plus an additional 3 weeks of access
-- your inclusion in a small private online critique group that you get to keep if you like
-- our own private Facebook group
-- a keep-forever searchable pdf of course content (value $80)
-- super handy templates
-- and infinitely more materials than could ever be shared in a geographically in-person class. 

Not to mention, Mira states that "At the end of the course, you’ll have a completed manuscript and targeted cover letter ready to send to your ideal editor or agent!"

Wow!  I was sold!  And for only $249!

Now I know that this sounds like an advertisement, and I apologize for that.  But I can tell you, this is perhaps the BEST deal I have ever encountered as far as classes are concerned.  Why?  Because of Mira.

Mira is so accessible and answers any questions quickly always willing to go above and beyond for her students.  In fact, my one-on-one critique was at her house in Sacramento, CA when I was on vacation!  She took such care with my work and line by line helped me polish my manuscript until it was shining!  I left her house feeling like a real writer on the brink of something big.  Her warmth and support have helped me grow so much in the last 3 weeks.

And now, I am working on a cover letter and researching agents/editors to send my manuscript onto.  Under Mira's guidance I will have a full package ready to submit before the class is over.

I could go on and on about this class, but most importantly I want to convince many of you to take advantage of this opportunity and enroll.  The next class starts on October 29th.  Don't you deserve to take this step in your career?

Visit http://www.picturebookacademy.com/writing-childrens-picture-books.html#.UF0BsRif8k8I'll.

Friendspiration Friday: Kathy Berman

Kathy Berman is both a member of my Critique Group AND a participant in many of the online forums I belong to (12x12in12, PiBoIdMo). 

 

I truly enjoy sharing a real-life and online relationship with her.  We can even chat about our online friends and it makes it all the more real. 

 

As a writer, Kathy's work is playful and insightful.  There is no doubt in my mind that her dedication to her craft will pay off BIG TIME! 

 

It is with pride that I introduce another stellar member of my Critique Group, Kathy Berman...

 

 

 

What do you do in real life?

I recently retired from teaching in NYC elementary schools. In between I worked in the NYC garment district as a textile designer. I am now living happily ever after doing what I love to do-- writing children's picture books and creating assemblages and sculptures using found objects.

 When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

 When I was a kid, I wrote plays with my friends. I became obsessed with incorporating the story with the musical hits of the time.  So I guess you could say we put on musicals in the garage that no one wanted to watch, except for the little kids that we bribed. As a teacher, one of my favorite times of the day was teaching writing to my students.  It was then that I realized I had stories to tell as well.

 How often do you write? Where? What time of day?

 I write at least 5 days a week, at any time, even in the middle of the night when I can't sleep.

I try to alternate my writing time with my art, but lately I've been doing more writing, thanks to the motivation I get from the fabulous 12 X 12 group. I usually write on my laptop in every room of the house.That is the one drawback of being a writer, you have to sit a lot, so I move from chair to chair throughout my house. I also write on little pieces of paper that I keep in my purse when I am not home. I should carry a notebook.

 What was your favorite story/book as a child? And why?

 I have to admit I didn't read much when I was a kid. We didn't have books in the house and no one read  stories to us. I came from a family with five kids, so my mom was busy. But my friend had the Walt Disney version of Alice in Wonderland, which totally enchanted my senses. Later on I read the “real” version. I love everything about this imaginative adventure; the illustrations, the characters, the intrigue, language,  and drama.

 What kind of stories do you like to write? Where do you get your inspiration?

 I like to write humorous stories with quirky characters that surprise the reader. I absolutely loved reading aloud to my own children as well as to kids as a teacher. Their reactions are always priceless. Kids, nature and every day life inspire me. 

 What did you want to be when you grew up?

A teacher. I used to practice being a teacher in my neighbor's garage.  We had it set-up with fake black boards and make-shift desks. And now I plan to be a published author (because I'm still growing).

 If you could go back in time and tell your eight year old self one thing, what would it be?

 Read, read, read.

 What was the greatest piece of writing advice you have ever received?

 I have to say, “write what you know” is probably on the top of the list. But reading the current picture book titles as well as the classic is crucial for understanding pacing, structure and voice. I spend many hours reading picture books in the library and at Barnes and Noble. It has given me a sense of what works and what doesn't. SO many great books out there, and so many others, you wonder why they ever got published. My third piece of advice I was given was to join a critique group. I am fortunate to be in Marcie's group. Constructive feedback from my group has been essential to my journey to getting published. Sorry I gave more than one piece of advice, but they have all had an impact on my writing.

 

Do YOU have a Friendspiration that you would like to introduce us to?  If so, email me at marciecolleen@gmail.com and I'll make it happen!