Wednesday Writers Weigh In: 38 in 38

Hello writers!  If I seem more mature, its because my birthday was yesterday.  So yes, I am older and wiser...kind of.  :)

Today I would like to pose a question to you all to help me complete one of my annual traditions...The List!

Last year I drafted up a list of "37 Things to do when I am 37".  The only rule was it had to be achievable goals that I could do myself...no goals of "Get an Agent".  That is out of my control.  So I listed things such as "Start a Blog".  Which I did!  And fun things like "Ride the Cyclone at Coney Island".  Which was a blast, by the way!

So, today I am starting to draft up my "38 Things to do when I am 38" List and I am wondering...when it comes to writing, what are some truly achievable goals I can set for myself?  A goal such as "write daily" is hard and kinda sets one up for failure.  So, aside from completing the 12x12in12 Challenge and NaPiBoWriWee, what are some goals I can include on this list?

I look forward to hearing what you writers have to say.  :)  So....Weigh In!

Writing Without Pictures: Guest Author, Julie Fulton

I am thrilled to introduce a new series on my blog about Picture Book writers who DO NOT illustrate.

Recently, while struggling with a manuscript, I went to my own bookshelf for inspiration and discovered that almost all of my books were from Author/Illustrators. I didn't have any books that were written by one person and illustrated by another. I realized that I needed to seek out Picture Book writers who did not illustrate their own work as a way of discovering my own process and place in the Picture Book World. I needed to find my peeps!

On Mondays for the month of April, I will be spotlighting a Picture Book writer who will share their experiences with "writing without pictures".

Today I welcome a friend from "across the pond"... Julie Fulton, author of "Mrs. MacCready was Ever So Greedy".  I find her story fascinating, as she is a newly published author who was somewhat an "accidental picture book author".  But it is no accident that "Mrs. MacCready..." has become a hit!  Julie's book is delightful!  It is obvious she has found her place in the community and we look forward to reading more from her. 

Thank you, Julie, for popping by to share your story!


The path to having my first picture book published may be a little different from what is perceived to be normal. Ask my husband, he’ll tell you. If there’s a way to do something differently, I’ll find it.

Did I realise I was writing a picture book?No. It hadn’t even entered my head. I was creating children’s poems. As a child I inhabited a world full of the works of people such as Dr Seuss, Edward Lear, Lewis Carroll, Spike Milligan. I loved their nonsense verses, the sounds of the words they used, the rhythm of their writing.

A few years ago I joined a writing group, where the tutor was first and foremost a poet. Yippee, I thought. We studied and worked on the craft of writing in all its forms, but I continued to create my silly verses for children.

What made realisation dawn?The feedback and support of my tutor and fellow writers. I was slow on the uptake. Thank goodness they persevered. I never seemed to hear them saying, ‘You ought to send that off. That would make a good picture book.’ No, they weren’t being serious.

The drip-feed effect eventually got to me. I gave in and researched in The Children’s Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook and sent my selection of texts to a publisher. I waited. I received the standard rejection. ‘Told you so,’ I said to my writing group. ‘Try again,’ they urged.

A small advert in Writers’ Forum magazine caught my eye. I submitted and before I knew where I was I’d been taken on by Maverick Books, who liked my story ‘Mrs MacCready Was Ever So Greedy’.

Did I feel like a PB writer now?Not really. It all happened so quickly. I’d never thought of the tale of Mrs MacCready as being anything more than words on a page. I had no preconceived images in my head. Nothing. Truth be told, I still feel a rank amateur.

So what happened next? 
Steve Bicknell, MD of Maverick Books, sent my text out to illustrators. From the sketches returned he chose Jona Jung to bring Mrs MacCready to life. After her pencil sketches for each spread were sent through to me, I was given the chance to comment on what I felt worked and what I thought needed to be changed or added. There wasn’t much, she’d done a brilliant job! (Jona lives in Poland and we’ve never met. We do communicate by e-mail. Through this I discovered she doesn’t speak much English and works on my text in translation. My admiration of her illustrations more than doubled when I found that out!)

How much of my text was changed once the illustrations were underway?On the whole it remains much as it was when I first submitted. One or two clumsy lines were altered in consultation with both Steve and Kimara Nye, Maverick’s Publishing Assistant, but this had nothing to do with the pictures.

Did I learn anything about writing picture books before any artwork is considered?
Most definitely! Maverick have asked me to come up with more ‘Ever So’ stories. ‘Tabitha Posy Was Ever So Nosy’ is with Jona right now. I approached the writing of this book in a very different way.

I had to stick to the rhythm and rhyme structure set down in the previous story, but I found I could see pictures in my head this time. I knew I was writing a picture book. There are some lines in the verses that will only make sense when matched with an illustration.

The ethos at Maverick of working as ‘a family’ means I know I can discuss what’s needed and we’ll work together to get it right. This time a couple of verses have been cut and some lines altered, but all in consultation and discussed thoroughly! Having spoken with other published PB writers within the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, this doesn’t always seem to be the usual way of doing things. Maverick are certainly maverick by name and nature!

Will I ever write a picture book again without thinking about the illustrations?
I think I can honestly state : No!

I have made it my aim to read a different picture book each week. To study them. To see what each illustration adds to the story. The best piece of advice I have been given to date is ‘Read, read, read’.

I have just finished another text and begun editing. Lots of words are disappearing. I now realise far more what is and isn’t needed. What can be inferred in the text or left out all together, because a good illustrator will see it and place it in their drawing. I have even been trying out my own comic sketches to see what might be included in the drawings and therefore which words I can do away with. Those who know me will remember I gave up art at school aged 13. These sketches are for my eyes only - a tool to help me edit!

There are fantastic books out there about the craft of writing picture books. My current favourite is ‘Writing Picture Books’ by Ann Whitford Paul. In it she states : ‘The illustrator’s pictures are the narrative of our words. That’s why we don’t need…long descriptions. The pictures will show what the character looks like….the setting. Trust the creativity of the artist.’

So, how do you create half a picture book and make it a success?
I’m not sure I feel experienced enough to answer that one. I can only say what I have discovered so far.

Think about the age group you are aiming your story at. Find out what language is expected of children at that age. Think about your word count. Rhyming stories are often frowned upon, but children (and teachers) love them and they can include far more words of a higher level. The children will follow the rhythm and rhyme and learn as they go. If not rhyming you will probably use less words. There are some marvellous books with little text that tell fabulous stories. ‘Not now, Bernard’ by David McKee and ‘Diary of a Wombat’ by Jackie French spring to mind.

Try taking your favourite book and re-writing it with all the description needed for it to make sense without the pictures. Then you might see how much can be left out once an illustrator becomes involved.

Most of all, don’t stress. If you have a good story it will work. Tell it in the leanest way possible. Don’t worry about setting the scene, telling us what the character looks like or what they wear. It’s ‘Show not Tell’ in its truest form. Give the bare bones of your tale and let the illustrator, whoever they may end up to be, show the reader - and you - the rest!

Julie Fulton is a British Picture Book Author who lives in Worcestershire, UK.  You can find out more about Julie at www.juliefulton.com or at her blog http://www.juliefulton.com/blog-1/.  Her first book, "Mrs. MacCready was Ever So Greedy" was published by Maverick Books.

Writing Without Pictures: Guest Author, Susanna Leonard Hill

I am thrilled to introduce a new series on my blog about Picture Book writers who DO NOT illustrate.

Recently, while struggling with a manuscript, I went to my own bookshelf for inspiration and discovered that almost all of my books were from Author/Illustrators. I didn't have any books that were written by one person and illustrated by another. I realized that I needed to seek out Picture Book writers who did not illustrate their own work as a way of discovering my own process and place in the Picture Book World. I needed to find my peeps!

On Mondays for the month of April, I will be spotlighting a Picture Book writer who will share their experiences with "writing without pictures".

Today I welcome Susanna Leonard Hill!  Susanna is author of Punxsutawney Phyllis, April Fools Phyllis, and Can't Sleep Without Sheep.  I consider Susanna a major inspiration and a wonderful person who is never too busy to help out us fellow pre-pubbies. 

I am honored she is here to share!  Here is Susanna!

There's a lot to learn in the world of picture books! What language, length, and subject matter are appropriate? Is it okay to write about talking animals or inanimate objects? And what about art? If you're a writer only, how do you allow for the equally important other half of a picture book? How does a writer know how much room to leave an illustrator? How much direction can you, as an author, give?

When Marcie asked me to address this question, I had to laugh. Obviously, it's on people's minds of late, because only a couple weeks before I had talked about the same thing on my own blog.

Here is the link, if you're interested. There are some excellent comments at the bottom, some from other published picture book authors.

http://www.facebook.com/l/tAQFFu4SFAQEPMjKgsnO-AFQ5kcJnXZ3KbwaKTic-EcDXdQ/susannahill.blogspot.com/2012/03/pitch-pick-6-and-oh-susanna-how-does-pb.html

I think what it really comes down to is a combination of strong writing and thinking visually. Your illustrator needs changes of scene, perspective, and emotion - plenty to choose from so that the pictures can vary from page to page. They also need freedom to express the story in their way - many books have whole other story lines told in the illustrations that were the brain child of the illustrator, or hidden characters or objects that children can look for, or indications as to the time of day, season, or other setting details that bring the story to life in ways you might not have foreseen.

Marcie asked about what happens if you overwrite by 20 words or so to get your image across. When you talk about overwriting by 20 words or so, what exactly are those words saying/trying to accomplish? Some details (like what color the MC's hair is) do not need to be spelled out. Unless it is critical to the story that her hair is red, leave it out and let the illustrator draw what he/she imagines. It may not be what you imagined, but those details aren't the ones that matter. It's the MC's character and motivation that matter.. The illustrator needs to pick up the feel of your character from your words, so that when they draw your character her determination or shyness or grumpiness or sense of humor shine through.
As an example, when I wrote Punxsutawney Phyllis, it never occurred to me that when the book was painted the groundhogs would be wearing clothes! I pictured them plain furry and brown with cute little faces, but I didn't get any farther than that. When the book showed up and they were all dressed, was it exactly the way I had pictured it? Not quite. But did it make sense? Absolutely! How else for a child reader to easily distinguish one from another? And did it harm the story in any way? Not at all! The critical element - Phyllis's spunky character - came through beautifully - even enhanced by Jeff's choice of green overalls with a yellow flower on the pocket for her.
Does any of that make sense? Feel free to ask follow up questions in the comments below - I will check in :)

In terms of what gets cut, that's a tricky question. An editor may want to cut any number of things for reasons other than illustration. But sometimes once a picture is drawn, there are words that are no longer necessary, so out they come. I gave an example in the blog post above from Can't Sleep Without Sheep, where once the illustrations was complete, some of the words about the hippos were no longer necessary and the story read better without them.
When I write, I always think visually. I can see the story in my head like a movie - kind of funny because I can't draw to save myself. I can't tell you how to do that, or even if it's necessary - it's just how my mind works. I know that's not particularly helpful!

I can tell you one story, though, a situation where I thought everything was crystal clear and it turned out not to be the case. I wrote a story called No Sword Fighting In The House. The characters names were Arthur, Lance and Gwenn. The father was the King who worked at the castle, the mother belonged to the Camelot Ladies Garden Society. Now before I say anything else, what setting do you imagine?

I imagined a medieval setting - knights, horses, castles, armor etc. The illustrator drew modern day suburbia.

So sometimes things aren't as clear as they seem!

One of the things I didn't know when I was first published was how little authors and illustrators work together. The publishing house chooses the illustrator for you. (Maybe when you're Jane Yolen or someone you get some say :) but as a first-time author, it's out of your hands.) Then, depending on your editor and the particular publishing house's policy, you may not get even a glimpse of the art until it's done. With one exception (Can't Sleep Without Sheep) I have never gotten to see my art in process. I understand the reasons for it, but it does make waiting for the art a bit of a nail-biter. Will your illustrator have the same vision you did? Will he or she draw anything like what you imagined? For the most part, I have been incredibly lucky. Jeff, Nicole, and Mike have been particularly wonderful to work with! But surprises do pop up from time to time - like the setting in No Sword Fighting, or how with my first book, The House That Mack Built, I wrote a whole spread about a bulldozer only to find when I got the proofs that the illustrator had drawn a loader. No self-respecting 2 year old would let that go by! It was too late to change the art, so I had to change the story! But in my experience, it generally works out in the end :)

Thank you for inviting me to your blog, Marcie! And if anyone has any questions, fire away :)


Susanna lives in Poughquag, NY.  She is a successful author and has published many titles!  Check her out at www.susannahill.com, or read her blog at http://susannahill.blogspot.com. 

Wednesday Writers Weigh In: The Sandpaper Touch of Art

This week I am reading Chapter Two of Jane Yolen's book "Take Joy: a book for writers". 

Chapter Two is called "The Mystery That is Writing" and asks the question, "where do stories come from?"

Many of us receive inspiration from everyday experiences, headlines in the newspaper, funny things kids say, etc.  But is this enough?

Jane Yolen states that interesting anecdotes are not fiction by themselves.  "They need the sandpaper touch of art."  Fiction is more than "a recitation of facts or author embellishments.  It is reality surprised.  It shakes us up and makes us see familiar things in new ways."

Writers Weigh In...What are your thoughts on this idea of the "sandpaper touch of art" and Yolen's idea of what fiction is?



Writing Without Pictures: Guest Author, Debbie Bernstein LaCroix

I am thrilled to introduce a new series on my blog about Picture Book writers who DO NOT illustrate.

Recently, while struggling with a manuscript, I went to my own bookshelf for inspiration and discovered that almost all of my books were from Author/Illustrators.  I didn't have any books that were written by one person and illustrated by another.  I realized that I needed to seek out Picture Book writers who did not illustrate their own work as a way of discovering my own process and place in the Picture Book World.  I needed to find my peeps! 

On Mondays for the month of April, I will be spotlighting a Picture Book writer who will share their experiences with "writing without pictures".

Today I welcome Debbie Bernstein LaCroix!  Debbie is Success Coach and a "go-getter" who's list of accomplishments is incredibly extensive ~ everything from being named to the "Top 40 Under 40 in Siuoxland" by her local paper to starting a Children's Museum in her hometown! 

Debbie lists one of her passions as "Helping People" and I am so honored that she has stopped by to share her experience with us and help me better understand the journey of the non-illustrating writing. 

Her book, "It's Almost Time" was published by Kane Miller Publishing and released in the Fall of 2011. 

Please welcome Debbie!

“Why is there a horse in my book?”

When I sold my first picture book, I was so excited! I had heard from other authors that I wouldn’t get to help pick out the illustrator, but I didn’t think I would be out of the process all together.

My editor, Kira, was great.  Kira told me who the illustrator was. The first thing I did was Google Sarah Chalek. Sarah had a great portfolio on her blog, and I automatically made a mental connection to her. So when I asked if they needed illustration ideas, I was a little sad to hear back, “No thank you, we got it covered.” At that point I knew I could not contact Sarah. This was hard for me, as I am a hands in everything type of person.

Instead, I worked on my own edits, and kept checking Sarah’s blog. Every so often I’d see a sketch, and get excited. Then there would be nothing.

When I met with Kira a few months later, she showed me the thumbnails. It was really cute, but there was a new element to my book, something I wasn’t expecting. See, my book “It’s Almost Time” is all about clocks. But, in the pictures, there was a horse! Yes, a horse! It was a cute horse. And he was fun, but it wasn’t my image.

Kira tried to keep me involved when she could, showing me the book and illustrations at different stages. But otherwise, I didn’t really have any say. I was well behaved, and I waited until the book had gone to press. Then I contacted Sarah to tell her how excited I was to have had the opportunity to work with her.  We became fast Facebook friends. But it was a school visit that finally made me ask her the question:

Why is there a horse in my book?

Here was her response:

Kira asked me to draw animals interacting with the clocks and I really like horses. When I was a kid there was a horse farm a few blocks from my house. It was really out of place in the suburbs. The woman who owned the horses let all the neighborhood kids walk through the stables and feed them carrots. I think they're beautiful animals, even though the one I drew is really goofy.
When I did samples for Kira, I drew all different types of animals and we both liked the horse the best. I wanted to add a bird as a sidekick because it was small, yet could fly at the horse's eye level. I thought about an owl or goose and chose a blue jay because I liked the color.

So there you have it! The horse is creating a story within my story.

I was really lucky. I know not all authors fall in love with their illustrators. I do hope that someday I will have the opportunity to work with her again.

Debbie Bernstein LaCroix lives in Sioux City, Iowa.  Her book "It's About Time" was published by Kane Miller Publishing.  You can read more about Debbie at www.debbielacroix.com and at her blog http://littledebbiewrites.blogspot.com/. 

Today's Treat: Deadlines, Jane Yolen and an Award!

Today's Treat is a Friday segment dedicated to helping writers 1) treat themselves like a writer by building confidence and craft and 2) putting themselves in situations where others will treat them as a writer to build community and connections.

The Beauty of Deadlines:

I am happy to report that the dust is clearing and I am emerging, ready to get back on track.  Its not easy because I have not written in over a week!  There was just too much "stuff" happening in my personal life that took priority.  And with that came stress and sleepless nights that zapped my creativity.  I have felt absolutely dry.

But now that things are settling down, its time to get back into the game.  But how?

Its difficult to jump back in.  I remember when I had a career job and I had been out for an illness or vacation.  My desk seemed foreign when I returned.  It was almost like I had to re-learn my job.

I kinda feel that way with writing.  Its slow going to get the juices flowing again.  But that's where deadlines are helpful!  I am holding myself accountable!

I have decided that it is ok to have taken time off to deal with "life", but like a boss at a "real job" I am telling myself, "Self, you still have deadlines.  You still are held accountable for what you were to accomplish this month."  And with only 2 days left in this month, I feel the crunch, but welcome the goal.

Tomorrow I have 6 hour train ride to Boston.  I will be writing the entire time to complete my monthly goals.

1)  complete my March manuscript for 12x12in'12
2)  revisions for my February manuscript

On ward and upward!
Jane Yolen's "Take Joy: a book for writers":

I have been studying Jane Yolen's fabulous book about writing and I invite the rest of you to join me as I read weekly and discuss my discoveriers each Friday.

The first chapter of "Take Joy" really spoke to me this week, as it deals with why we write.  So many writers, she states, talk about writing as a chore or almost torturous.  In it, Yolen encourages her readers to learn to write with joy, not fear. 

She says it is a personal choice to choose joy and what she finds is that it is "not the writing that makes writers miserable.  It is the emphasis on publication."  Yolen goes on to say that "all we can count on is the joy in the process of writing." 

"Know this about being published: it is out of your hands.  Even if you do everything you can think of to affect that outcome, " she warns.

These words have struck me deeply.  The stress I often feel when it comes to my writing is all because I have been focused too much on publication.  I am focused on the destination instead of enjoying the sunshine and flowers along the path.

So this week I am really spending time learning to have joy in the process.  Its not easy.  Especially when I have had fantasies about publication for so long.  However, I feel I do need to reel myself in.  To learn what it is about writing that I love.  To be honest with myself and ask "if this never gets published, is it worth it?"  I want to shout YES...but to tell you the truth...I am not sure.

I am putting myself on a "publication/industry/business" diet.  For the next 2 months I am going to only spend time on my craft, writing the best stories I can, and finding joy in that process.  No queries, no business at all.  Let's see how I do!

If you have any pointers on how to find the joy in the process, let me know.  :)

The Sunshine Blog Award!

Last but not least, I want to thank Elizabeth Stevens Omlor over at her blog Banana Peelin' for giving me the prestigious Sunshine Blog Award!  It is always so nice to be recognized by other bloggers, and especially Elizabeth who is such a wonderful inspiration and fabulous blogger!  Thanks, Elizabeth! 

According to the award, I must:

• Include the award’s logo in a post or on your blog
• Answer 10 questions about yourself
• Nominate 10-12 other fabulous bloggers
• Link your nominees to the post and comment on their blogs, letting them know they have been nominated
• Share the love and link the person who nominated you.
  

1. Favorite color:  I am usually drawn to shades of blue

2. Favorite animal: sock monkey  :)

3. Favorite number: 4

4. Favorite non-alcoholic drink: black coffee!  iced if possible.

5. Facebook or Twitter: Facebook

6. My passion: so many.  But I think they all come down to living life to the fullest and laughing often.

7. Prefer giving or getting presents: Giving. 

8. Favorite pattern: Argyle?  strange question.

9. Favorite day of the week: Saturday morning ~ laying in bed, drinking coffee with my love and chatting.

10. Favorite flower: Gerbera daisies.  So bright and colorful, yet simple.

I am going to bestow this award to the following ladies.  Each one of these blogs are frequented by me and I am recognizing them as wonderful rays of Sunshine in the world of writing!  So grab the button and flaunt it ladies!  You are Sunshine Award Winners!

1)  Kavita Ramchandran
2)  Jennifer Rumberger
3)  Diandra Mae
4)  Jennifer Kirkeby
5)  Rena Traxel
6)  Mira Reisberg
7)  Julie Rowan-Zoch
8)  Sylvia Liu
9)  4 Chicks and a Muse
10)  Angela Pena Dahle

Alright that's it for me today!  Have a wonderful weekend!  May we all enter April joyfully!

Wednesday Writers Weigh In: What if the Answer is No?

This has been a really stressful few weeks for me and I apologize for not posting in over a week without notice.  Truth be told, I had a few personal and family matters to attend to and when it came down to it, I had to prioritize.  I felt like a sinking ship and I needed to bail out some water in order to stay afloat.  So yes...my writing took a hit.

But here I am!  I am back and slowly climbing back and getting on the right track.

Now for today's Wednesday Writer's Weigh In, which stems from my experiences these past few weeks. When faced with some realy tough "life stuff" we can find ourselves questioning what we do and why we do it.

Therefore, if you could see the future and know that you would NEVER be published, would you continue to write anyway?

Go on writers...Weigh In!