My First Blogiversary!

Today is a great day!  Today I celebrate my First Blogiversary here at The Write Routine.  I can still remember walking to work one year ago today brainstorming what my blog would be about and then sitting down and writing it without a single Follower.  Today we have 97 Followers and many more following through email.  What a difference a year makes!

To celebrate, I would like to share some fun statistics with you all. 

• To date, The Write Routine has had 9,900 Pageviews.
• Facebook provides the most traffic, however, I should also recognize Julie Hedlund (www.juliehedlund.com).  Through her site I have received quite a few hits, as well.
• I participated in The Comment Challenge of 2012 on www.motherreader.com which also generated many hits for The Write Routine, and many new Followers.
• The post with the most hits was Susanna Leonard Hill's "Writing Without Pictures" post.  A close second was Debbie Bernstein LaCroix's "Writing Without Pictures" post. And all in all, the "Writing Without Pictures" series was the most viewed.
• An honorable mention goes out to a special kindergartner, Renn Telles, who's "Renn's Pitch Contest" was the 3rd most viewed post! 
• The Write Routine has quite an international audience.  Of course, the USA and Canada rank very high in views...but Russia is the country with the 2nd highest views.  I don't know who my fan is there, but thank you!
• Other countries who have viewed The Write Routine the most are the UK, Australia, Germany, France, Ukraine, Brazil and New Zealand. 
• The most popular Search Keywords to find the site are "Marcie Colleen"...can't believe I get googled that much!  However, I get found a lot through "15 Habits of Great Writers" which was a series I ran back in June, inspired by the challenge of Jeff Goins on his site.  Thanks, Jeff!

So what can you expect from The Write Routine in the next year?

• a brand new "Writing Without Pictures" series, in which Picture Book writers share their experiences of having their work illustrated by someone else.
• Friendspiration Friday will continue!  Please email me at marciecolleen@gmail.com to participate!
• Posts on KidLitCon 2012, SCBWI NJ 2013, and SCBWI LA 2013!
• and much much more!

THANK YOU from the botttom of my heart for reading, supporting, commenting and encouraging me in this past year! 

Happy Writing!

Wednesday Writers Weigh In: Autumn Anticipation

Every year around this time I find myself truly anticipating autumn and all of the delights that come with it.  I want to sip a Pumpkin Latte.  I want to kick the colored leaves on a nippy afternoon stroll through the park.  I want to snuggle up in cozy socks and scarves and hats. 

I also anxiously await curling up with a good Picture Book on a blustery day.  Therefore...

 

Marcie's Top 5 Most Anticipated Picture Books

for Fall Season 2012!

(in no particular order)!

THE MONSTERS' MONSTER by Patrick McDonnell
Little Brown/September 4, 2012
Once upon a time, there were three little rascals who thought they were the BIGGEST, BADDEST monsters around. But when they decide to build a huge monster of their own, he isn't exactly what the creatures were expecting. He's happy. He giggles. He's just grateful to be alive. And he has a lesson for his grouchy creators that only takes two little words.

I just LOVE McDonnell's art and his very  sweet style.  I definitely cannot wait to own this story about a very BIG monster showing three very BAD little monsters the power of boundless gratitude.

THE THREE NINJA PIGS by Corey Rosen Schwartz illus. Dan Santat
Putnam/September 27, 2012

For me this is the MOST ANTICIPATED fractured fairy tale of the year...although Mo Willems might not agree.  When the big bad wolf threatens their village, three pigs sign up for different martial arts lessons to prepare to take him down. Pig One and Pig Two don't stick with their training, though, and are no match for their foe. But after practice and dedication, Pig Three becomes great at karate (including perfecting the perfect pork chop!) and saves the day.

GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE DINOSAURS by Mo Willems
Balzer + Bray/September 4, 2012

What can I say? I am truly a sucker for Mo and I am really looking forward to his newest book.

"Once upon a time, there were three hungry Dinosaurs: Papa Dinosaur, Mama Dinosaur . . . and a Dinosaur who happened to be visiting from Norway.

One day—for no particular reason—they decided to tidy up their house, make the beds, and prepare pudding of varying temperatures. And then—for no particular reason—they decided to go . . . someplace else. They were definitely not setting a trap for some succulent, unsupervised little girl.

Definitely not!"

 MARATHON MOUSE by Amy Dixon illus. by Sam Denlinger 
Sky Pony Press/October 16, 2012

The mice of New York City dread the day of the New York City Marathon more than any other—the crowds, the large shoes, the noise. All of them, that is, except for Preston. He and his family live underneath the starting line on the Verrazano Bridge and every year Preston has dreamed of joining all the other runners in the marathon. This year, Preston is determined to make his dream come true, even though his family tells him that mice are not fit to run marathons. He trains hard leading up to the big day and when the race starts, he successfully dodges sneakers and crosses the finish line, showing his family that mice can do much more than just scurry.

With my own attempt at the NYC Marathon coming up on November 4, 2012, I am hoping to join Preston at that finish line!

MY FIRST GHOST by Maggie Miller & Michael Leviton illus. by Stephanie Buscema
Hyperion/August 7, 2012

Although this book is already out, I am including it here...as I have not had a chance to check it out.

I have taken some classes at NYC's Gotham Writer's Workshop with Michael Leviton.  So I have been eagerly awaiting his debut picture book.

The book comes with a free ghost! But, like any pet, ghosts need special care and attention. A playful riff on "My First Pet" books, My First Ghost teaches kids everything they need to know about taking care of their very own ghost,  offer humorous tips on feeding, grooming, and ghostly games which are complemented by charming illustrations with a retro twist.

Well, there you have it!  I would love to hear what books you eagerly await.  Writers Weigh In!

Picture Book Academy starts TODAY!

I have always LOVED being a student and find myself really amped at the beginning of a new school year. 

While I might not be a traditional student anymore, I have dedicated 2012 to being a student of the craft of writing.

So since January 2012 I have sought classes to take, communities to join and ways to learn how to tighten my writing.  Most importantly, I have spent A LOT of time actually writing. 

I have put off querying agents and editors this year.  I am saving that til 2013.

Today I begin a 5 week online course called The Craft & Business of Writing Children's Picture Books taught by Mira Reisberg.  I am really excited. 

As stated by Dr. Reisberg, "The Craft and Business of Writing Children’s Picture Books e-Course is 5 weeks of inspiring interactive step by step instruction and education. 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!"

The course could not come at a better time for me. 

1)  I am so busy training for the NYC Marathon that I do not have time to take an "in person" class.

2)  In addition to providing guidance on how to best polish one of my WIPs, it will also provide info regarding submitting for use when the time comes.

As far as I know, there might still be room in the class.  You can read all about it at http://www.picturebookacademy.com/writing-childrens-picture-books.html. 

If interested, click here http://tinyurl.com/7r54ejz to register now.

What classes have you taken and what did you think?  I would love to hear!

Friendspiration Friday: Christine Loria

Today I have the honor of introducing to you one of the original members of my Critique Group which started one year ago.  Unfortunately, she is also to be the first Critique Group member to "fly the coop" and leave us.  But in a nomadic place  like New York City we should be used to that and wish her loads of joy and adventure in her newest chapter!

 

I will miss her sweet comical stories and her straightforward, insightful feedback.  She has been an enormous asset to our group and I am always honored to have her read my work.

 

Please welcome Christine...

 

What do you do in real life?

I work for Pfizer in the Policy, External Affairs & Communications group but I'm getting ready to leave to travel the world with my husband...we will start by driving across the country on December 1st and then to Fiji on December 29th!

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I think it was probably when I was 7 or 8 when I started writing stories - I realized at that age that it was a lot of fun to use my imagination and make up characters. One of my stories, "Lewis" is what has been my inspiration all these years. 

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

Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of time to write - so it's usually about once/month - just in time for critique sessions! I'm so thankful for the critique group because it makes me dust off all the random ideas I write on post-its or my notebook. As far as time of day, it's usually at night after I get home from work. But I'm always thinking of new ideas and characters that I want to write about.

What was your favorite story/book as a child? and why?
My favorite story as a child was Mr. Poppers Penguins. I loved reading about all the crazy antics and the idea that penguins lived in someone's house!

What kind of stories do you like to write? Where do you get your inspiration? You can add if there is anythign you have had published and can highlight.
I like to write stories that make people laugh. I get inspiration from thinking about my childhood, my husband, and my nephew Branden. Branden and I play with his stuffed animals and the characters I create while playing with him become the characters I write about.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be an astronaut. Obviously that worked out!

If you could go back in time and tell your 8 year old self one thing, what would it be?
To keep all the stories I will write in my lifetime in one place so that they are easy to find to use them as inspiration.
 

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

I know this line is over-rated but "show, don't tell" really does help me write more vivid scenes.

 

Do YOU have a Friendspiration you would like to introduce us to on a future Friday? Please send an email to marciecolleen@gmail.com and we will make that happen.

Wednesday Writers Weigh In: What Inspires You?

I was recently taking inventory of my current WIPs and I had to laugh to be reminded of where the inspiration for each story came from.

1)  a cheesy pick-up line a friend posted on Facebook

2)  a recent NPR story about Mars

3)  my current obsession with roasted Brussels Sprouts

4)  a rainy trip to the airport which caused me to reluctantly stuff something into my suitcase

All of these strange and unusual moments inspired me to start writing a PICTURE BOOK!  True story!

For those who read my stories on WriteOnCon 2012, can you guess what inspired each one?

What has inspired your recent WIPs?

Writers Weigh In!

Monday Morning Musing

Yesterday I took at photography tour through DUMBO and Brooklyn Bridge Park.  The tour began with a look at the New York Transit Museum's exhibit of Antonio Masi's watercolor depictions of the iconic bridges of NYC.  And then we headed out to see what our own photographer's eyes could find.

Two hours and one hundred various shots later, I finally had one I was somewhat proud of.  A rustic, urban depiction of the Manhattan Bridge (shown right). 

Sifting through the various pictures, I could see improvement.  I could see style starting to emerge.  I could see themes and technique.

Some I deleted. Others could benefit from Photo Shop at a later date.

I started to think of my writing.  I started to think of the countless WIPs which live in a folder on my computer. 

Sifting through the various manuscripts is the same experience.  Not all will be looked at further.  Some will go through revisions to see what is there.  Others are gems. 

The key is in the practice and the doing. 

The same is with writing. 

Give yourself permission to be ugly.  Give yourself permission to fall short.  It is in this permission that you will find your gems. 

Friendspiration Friday: Its YOUR Turn!

I hate to say it, but we have run out of Friendspiration Friday posts.  Therefore, I have a choice.  I can either discontinue this popular series.  OR...you can step up to the plate and tell us about your Friendspiration.

I like the second option.

So what should you do?

Email me at marciecolleen@gmail.com and tell me you have a Friendspiration you would like to introduce us to.

Then you are well on your way to Guest Blogging on a future Friday!!!

You choose the person.  You choose the format.  You can even borrow the same interview questions I asked Carol Higgins Lawrence and Scott Hammon. 

Its that easy.  And it feels good to honor someone else.

So step up.