tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89297971948367958262024-03-13T02:46:34.241-07:00JaNay With WordsMy path to publishing children's books!JaNayBWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17019536981183646518noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929797194836795826.post-82645524773430647992014-07-22T10:17:00.001-07:002014-07-22T10:20:17.084-07:00A BIG change...Hello all!<br />
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It's funny, I started this blog as a way to document my path to publishing. But then, when it all happened so quickly, I never had a chance to specify each piece of my journey.<br />
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Guess that's just the way life goes.<br />
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But, I do have some BIG news to share!<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><u>MY FIRST BOOK WILL BE OUT OCTOBER 14, 2014!!!</u></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
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How about that! :D </div>
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It is called "Imani's Moon" and it'll be published by Mackinack Island Press/Charlesbridge Publishing. I am so thrilled!!!<br />
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And not only that, I have a new website and blog that I have started, and I'd be honored if you followed me on that blog as well. My website is <a href="http://www.janaybrownwood.com/">www.janaybrownwood.com</a> and my new blog is on the same site, but under the "Blog" heading. Here's the quick link to it: <a href="http://www.janaybrownwood.com/blog">http://www.janaybrownwood.com/blog</a> .<br />
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So with that said, this will be my last post in<i> JaNay With Word</i>s (at least for the time being. Who knows what the future holds). It has been a lot of fun thinking about writing and discussing the "writerly" thoughts that run through my head. But no worries, I'll continue to do much of the same on my new blog, while talking about experiences I have on my new road: <u>The Road of a Published Author</u>. I'll also talk about some of the milestones I've gone through (like how my editorial processes went and events I've attended, etc.)<br />
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Thanks again for reading <i>JaNay With Words</i>, and I hope you continue to join me on this new adventure. You can also find me on Facebook at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/janaybrownwood?ref=hl">https://www.facebook.com/janaybrownwood?ref=hl</a> .<br />
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Onward I go!<br />
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JBW :)<br />
<br />JaNayBWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17019536981183646518noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929797194836795826.post-9801432311144303252013-03-03T22:34:00.001-08:002013-03-03T22:34:14.061-08:00A Silly Post on Booga-Booga
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Do you believe in good <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">booga-booga</i>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I wouldn’t even say I do, in my regular day-to-day
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it’s funny, each time I close
an envelope to send my work out to publishers/agents/editors, I feel compelled
to pour in a little booga-booga for luck (wiggling fingers and all).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Do you know what I mean by this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I’m not using it in the sense of scaring someone, like the
Urban Dictionary says.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not thinking
about the boogeyman that has a similar sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not even thinking of it in the voodoo sense that it is associated—you
know, cursing others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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No, instead, in my head, booga-booga is that special energy
you can put into something that lets you know everything will be okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s good vibes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Positivity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Optimism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe you know it by another name?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But even if you do, I am re-defining booga-booga today,
in my case, to be that little extra something that’ll get my work noticed.</div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">Or maybe I just need a four leaf clover.</span></div>
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</v:imagedata></v:shape>Well, anyway, my husband and I put
some good booga-booga into the envelope right before I sealed it to send it
off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully it’ll be enough to get me
a worthwhile response.</div>
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Cheers to good booga-booga!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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And Happy March!<br />
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JaNayBWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17019536981183646518noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929797194836795826.post-61936590794095612002013-02-16T20:57:00.000-08:002013-02-16T21:18:10.454-08:00NEW PFTP and Books I Love<div style="text-align: left;">
Hi everyone!</div>
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I added two new posts for you to enjoy.</div>
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1. Jim Averbeck's Interview on my <em>Points from the Published</em> page</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfL_ad25cN8gzVvAiJJa6lpIj7Jog3S5hvwge186t-rrzI-t9PhZHULBBVpLztfPpkJ__CqpTd0gb1p8yMIjJ7_48JDKzuThmywWwpyoVu6RqAhLjMuem3jO7jwHTgmh5eK4yvAGCiSY/s1600/Jim+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfL_ad25cN8gzVvAiJJa6lpIj7Jog3S5hvwge186t-rrzI-t9PhZHULBBVpLztfPpkJ__CqpTd0gb1p8yMIjJ7_48JDKzuThmywWwpyoVu6RqAhLjMuem3jO7jwHTgmh5eK4yvAGCiSY/s200/Jim+A.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
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2. <em>The Three Ninja Pigs</em> by Corey Rosen Schwartz on my <em>Books I Love</em> page.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35ARXFV7JHpO4WbH-VQTSX2X75cnqobkfPzVIWur9EM6rA5v6ooIrYiVx8PQDEq7Sqw3MfjoHlErwryj6a_0zFq2-xKrv4OQF82fmok4bGTejR67MzijIeblce3B1qENpddU19XoVXaY/s1600/Three+ninja+pigs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35ARXFV7JHpO4WbH-VQTSX2X75cnqobkfPzVIWur9EM6rA5v6ooIrYiVx8PQDEq7Sqw3MfjoHlErwryj6a_0zFq2-xKrv4OQF82fmok4bGTejR67MzijIeblce3B1qENpddU19XoVXaY/s200/Three+ninja+pigs.jpg" width="154" /></a></div>
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Check them out if you'd like to learn a little more about a published author's path (or tributaries) to publishing, and my feelings on a new version of <em>The Three Little Pigs</em>.</div>
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Happy February!!</div>
JaNayBWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17019536981183646518noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929797194836795826.post-68377036047487946342013-02-16T20:48:00.000-08:002013-02-16T20:48:03.875-08:00Points from the Published--Sue Fliess<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>Sue
Fliess</strong></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; mso-fareast-language: JA;">My
next interview was with the fabulous Sue Fliess who agreed to answer my
interview questions. Her answers give such wonderful insight about her own path
to publishing! Furthermore, I had the chance to read two of her lovely books "A
Dress for Me!" and "Shoes for Me!" which both include a character who I can
certainly relate to! I hope you learn as much from it as I did!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7S6MM87udslsRNcZyjEzyZG1Vk8MTKjyj55H28LudhQKBOxhq69F5jbmpHd4HBMGJU8mT9kxP9XNru3U52nCy5KSyw4pAKCtCjBCuZW79gg-N03NpYqisZ4d-_bPLN2P-UlnAS_HOWz4/s1600/Sue+Fliess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" closure_uid_104138889="2" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7S6MM87udslsRNcZyjEzyZG1Vk8MTKjyj55H28LudhQKBOxhq69F5jbmpHd4HBMGJU8mT9kxP9XNru3U52nCy5KSyw4pAKCtCjBCuZW79gg-N03NpYqisZ4d-_bPLN2P-UlnAS_HOWz4/s320/Sue+Fliess.jpg" width="320" yda="true" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Photo
Credit: Jessie Salas Photography</span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><em></em></span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><u><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>1. What was
your path to publishing a book?</strong></span></span></u></span><br /><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
credit my successful publication to being an active member of SCBWI.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And being an active member to me means
attending conferences, networking with other authors, meeting editors, paying
for professional critiques, and participating in an SCBWI-based critique
group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had two toddler boys (18 months
apart) and wrote during naps and after they were in bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had taken some time off from work to be
home with them, and every spare minute I had (which wasn’t a lot) I was writing,
researching editors/houses, or submitting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I attended my first conference in 2006 where I had the good fortune to
lunch with an editor in the outside eating area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was very nice (a real person!) and was
very encouraging to me about writing in general and the pursuit of publication.
(side story: I sent her my Tons of Trucks manuscripts in 2008, but she left the
pub house shortly after.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2009, I was
contacted by a different editor at the house who had been passed my manuscript
as promising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now it’s coming out
this July!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few other writers were
very welcoming when they learned it was my first conference, and I immediately
knew that I’d done the right thing by attending, nervous as I was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I continued to attend conferences, pay for
critiques, joined a critique group and networked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also applied for the Barbara Karlin Grant
for picture book writing in 2007 and 2008 and both manuscripts received the
letters of commendations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I highly
recommend applying for grants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
judges usually include some editors, and it’s all about the extra exposure, even
if you don’t win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During this time, I
also picked up a freelance writing gig for an education-based website, writing
parenting articles, in order to have relevant credentials on my cover
letters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually I was lucky enough
to show a fellow author some of my work at a conference and she said, “You need
to send these to my editor—I think she’d like it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sold Shoes for Me! in 2009.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><u><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>2.
How long have you been in this business? When did you start? When did you get
your first book published?</strong></span></span></u></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
guess you could say I started in the business the second I had my first idea for
a children’s picture book, which would be 2005.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Before I had kids, I wrote a lot of poetry and had even started an adult
novel!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was in a critique group in New
York City, bit it wasn’t until I moved to California with my husband and had a
baby I was reading to, that I thought, “Maybe I can write children’s books.” I
jotted a few lines down, and coincidentally, a friend called me (this is back in
the day when we all still called each other!) and asked me if I wanted to take a
one-day class with her called “Writing for Children.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so serendipitous, I couldn’t say
no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the end, my friend wasn’t able to
attend the class, but I did, and was determined to give the whole thing a
try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wrote several pretty terrible
manuscripts after that one, but finally wrote one that I and others were getting
excited about in 2006.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was called
Shoes for Me! (first called “Shoes on, Shoes off”).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I rewrote it about 75 times until I felt it
was ready to submit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started
submitting in 2007—in the meantime it received a Letter of Commendation from the
SCBWI Barbara Karlin Grant and it finally sold in January 2009.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><u><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>3.
What inspired you and motivates you to carry
on?</strong></span></span></u></span><br /><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This
answer has evolved for me over the last few years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What drove me in the beginning was
the hunt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved finding editors whom I
thought would be a good fit, and loved the feeling of dropping a manuscript in
the mail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I referred to it as ‘mailing
hope.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was inspired by reading tons of
picture books and trying to come up with my own twist on fun topics, or everyday
situations my own children were experiencing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Every rejection stung, but I was starting to receive personal notes about
my work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was very encouraging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day my husband took in the mail and
handed me 3 of my SASEs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew they
were rejections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked in the nicest
way “How long do you think you’ll keep at this?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was shocked, as it had never occurred to me
to give up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I answered “Until I get
published.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I am motivated by the
quality of books being published all around me, and the amazing writers who I
aspire to emulate in creativity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
is a new pressure to ‘stay current’, and a feeling of only being as good as my
last book, but I try not to let that get in the way or be discouraging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My critique group has been a fantastic way to
keep me writing and motivated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it
weren’t for them, I’d be producing very little, as I am now working nearly full
time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><u><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>4.
Do you have another job or is writing your only
job?</strong></span></span></u></span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yes,
I really say I have 3 jobs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I write
nearly full time for eBay in their Seller Marketing Group, I am a mom of 2 boys,
age 8 and 7, and I write my children’s stories—by doing book events, publicizing
my books, and doing the actual writing of new material.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was taking on side corporate copywriting
projects, but decided that just was too stressful, so part of my new year’s
resolution was to not take on more than I can actually handle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a concept!</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black;"></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><u><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>5.
Do you have an agent? If yes, what steps did you take to obtain
one?</strong></span></span></u></span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
do have an agent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her name is Jennifer Unter and I signed on
with her in late 2009.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started looking
for an agent in 2008, and would research agents and then submit to them in small
groups, maybe 2-4 at a time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I was
waiting for responses, I was writing picture books and even a young adult
novel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think my YA is something
I will ever put out there, but it certainly helped me get an agent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I had 2 agents offer me
representation at the same time, and another seriously considering me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a bit overwhelming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the end, I knew I may never get the novel
to be where it needed to be, and I went with Jennifer, who was willing to take
me on irrespective of whether or not I ever finished it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She loved my picture books and was willing to
take a chance on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now I have one
book out, one coming out next month, and 3 in production!</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black;"></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><u><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>6.
What advice would you give to a new
writer?</strong></span></span></u></span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Don’t
give up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only you can write the story in
your head, but you can’t write it in a vacuum either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It often goes against our nature, but you
need to get yourself out there and put your work out there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell people you are writing, and they are
happy to remind you when they see you again—‘how’s that book you’re writing?—and
it keeps you accountable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a slow
business (possibly getting faster in this digital world), so what may seem like
a long time, is actually not in the grand scheme of things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t rush your projects, but do figure
out when your project is done, and start submitting.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"></span><br /></div>
<strong><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></strong><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Thank
you to Sue Fliess for taking the time to answer my “Points from the Published”
questions. And thank you to Sue and her publisher for the lovely books! I
truly enjoyed them!</span><br /><br /><br />Here are some of Sue Fliess's wonderful
books:</span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLD0D8X8CUu1Edfz25IYExU8W3wD9osbtX9hcXSOb-LbgjS932y0CrysiPIwyFO04xLvp5HPV1w8_3bEM7J5GPW3QrgDdovJRCy13rO9keJjjI-AlIknLNlbht2SMIyC9oacpiIfeXKLE/s1600/Fliess+Shoes+for+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" closure_uid_104138889="3" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLD0D8X8CUu1Edfz25IYExU8W3wD9osbtX9hcXSOb-LbgjS932y0CrysiPIwyFO04xLvp5HPV1w8_3bEM7J5GPW3QrgDdovJRCy13rO9keJjjI-AlIknLNlbht2SMIyC9oacpiIfeXKLE/s200/Fliess+Shoes+for+me.jpg" width="200" yda="true" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LZE6nm0INlBj8jS0iAin70b5leRfKs2mRNQ3rsPNKvSNmsoTGn249fcEAj1Mg8-OsweMGijV4y_A-cDNpjSWlQcSVguVoX7dp9zz68bzdLhx7w_jNbYCs8s_aBQvGFQAvPfr4TQU6hw/s1600/Fliess+Dress+for+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" closure_uid_104138889="4" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LZE6nm0INlBj8jS0iAin70b5leRfKs2mRNQ3rsPNKvSNmsoTGn249fcEAj1Mg8-OsweMGijV4y_A-cDNpjSWlQcSVguVoX7dp9zz68bzdLhx7w_jNbYCs8s_aBQvGFQAvPfr4TQU6hw/s200/Fliess+Dress+for+me.jpg" width="200" yda="true" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVs-Uq_mvmadxc0zXT2J2n4wcXfl4ucAA0yRnrgkTiRaDy_Q6H9sXpM_N2SPea_uK7f7a9-ZPc4NCvCdXJ1t4BrFCfZx1lxakN_fK-msvO24m5sYnR_0znyMpPbdI91T8XBdDcJQGX0vw/s1600/Fliess+Trucks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" closure_uid_104138889="5" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVs-Uq_mvmadxc0zXT2J2n4wcXfl4ucAA0yRnrgkTiRaDy_Q6H9sXpM_N2SPea_uK7f7a9-ZPc4NCvCdXJ1t4BrFCfZx1lxakN_fK-msvO24m5sYnR_0znyMpPbdI91T8XBdDcJQGX0vw/s200/Fliess+Trucks.jpg" width="200" yda="true" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black;"></span></span><br /><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">You
can learn more about Sue Fliess at:</span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.suefliess.com/index.htm"><span style="color: #143671;">http://www.suefliess.com/index.htm</span></a></span></span><br /><a href="http://www.suefliess.com/blog.htm"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">http://www.suefliess.com/blog.htm</span></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black;"></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">And
her publisher Marshall Cavendish Children:</span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://www.marshallcavendish.us/marshallcavendish-us/children/catalog/listing.xml"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">http://www.marshallcavendish.us/marshallcavendish-us/children/catalog/listing.xml<strong></strong></span></span></span></a></div>
JaNayBWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17019536981183646518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929797194836795826.post-56937905503253086972013-02-09T17:58:00.000-08:002013-02-09T17:58:04.697-08:00This is NOT a sales pitch...<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
As we all know, technology advances at break-neck
speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something that just came out
today will probably have three new versions by this time tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then you’ll be looking at your antiquated
version peevishly, wondering “why do I even bother?”</div>
<br />
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With that said, I have always been somewhat reluctant to
keep up with the trends of the newest hot-tech items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t get my first i-pod until it had
shrunk two sizes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I barely got an i-Home
as a gift this past Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m
usually one of the last to get the newest cell phones.</div>
<br />
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However, I have recently fallen head over heels for a
relatively new piece of technology: The Kindle Fire.</div>
<br />
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I promise you, this is not a sales pitch.</div>
<br />
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Along with my i-Home, I also got a Kindle as a gift, after
years of deciding I’d never fall victim to the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">page-less</i> book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used to
always think “a book without actual pages is no book at all” or “I prefer the
feel and smell of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">real</i> books fresh of
the bookshelf.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, I stepped out of my
comfort zone and asked for a Kindle, and I’m never looking back.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscIgzMLYb4KEEiIMB8xsFjwchE9Q-qI1I4Pl2xr34y_QT8g1O57dtLb8RJTVA6bsi6feQJLYcl7AkUXidkFLF1wLQt-JAALMsNNw6sx_R_Yz9oAOb-VBVG3eOsUXGDzyR5RB525BlWys/s1600/ebooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscIgzMLYb4KEEiIMB8xsFjwchE9Q-qI1I4Pl2xr34y_QT8g1O57dtLb8RJTVA6bsi6feQJLYcl7AkUXidkFLF1wLQt-JAALMsNNw6sx_R_Yz9oAOb-VBVG3eOsUXGDzyR5RB525BlWys/s320/ebooks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Benefits?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>One of the best practices you’d hear from
any writer is to read, read, read!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Understand the current market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Read old stuff and new stuff, great stuff and awful stuff, classics and populars,
genres you prefer to write and more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Kindle (or any e-book or tablet with book capabilities, I figure) allows you to
do this with such ease, it’s almost cloying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ve had my Kindle since December 25<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>, and I’m already onto
my fourth book (and that’s while having a two jobs, a husband, and a
life).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only can I research what’s
new and hot, but I can look at the ratings of the book, read a synopsis, and
buy it for my own electronic bookshelf all from the comfort of my bed.</div>
<br />
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And that’s not all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
am a lover of words (hint the title of my blog).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love learning new words and challenging
myself to use them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Kindle comes
with the capability to touch a word, prompting the word’s definition to
automatically pop up onto the screen, which helps me to expand my vocabulary
AND study for the GRE at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m smitten.</div>
<br />
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Once again, I assure you, this isn’t a sales pitch for
Amazon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just a thankful author joining this
century and sharing her excitement with other book-lovers and writers who are
looking for some motivation to make their passion that much easier (no more “I
just don’t have time to write/read”).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m sure there’s a way to download a notebook right onto your e-book so
you can read and write as inspiration hits you.</div>
<br />
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What this <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> is me
showing gratitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paying homage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Homage to a device that I know is going to
help me continue to grow as a writer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So,
if you have pushed e-books out of your mind, consider reconsidering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You might find yourself to be an e-book lover
too.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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What's your pick: book or ebook? Why?</div>
JaNayBWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17019536981183646518noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929797194836795826.post-55806173686292971402013-01-03T20:45:00.004-08:002013-01-03T20:47:00.700-08:00New Year in 2013With each New Year, brings a time for reflection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a personal realm, this year has been
incredibly eventful for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1) I got
married (YAY!!!), 2) I welcomed a new nephew into the world (HOORAY!!!), 3) I
started teaching a community college class (AWESOME!!!), and 4) I was blessed
with many, wonderful experiences (Hawaii wedding and honeymoon, watching the
Endeavor space shuttle move through the streets of LA, bringing in the New Year
on the Las Vegas strip, and so on and so on and so on).<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
And aren’t these experiences the stuff of our stories?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inspirations packaged in our everyday
lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes, we may not realize
that these happenings have inspired anything, until we find them captured on
our pages, maybe looking a little different than we had actually experienced;
but now being experienced by our characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Though this year didn't bring my ultimate writing goal of publication, it was
definitely a momentous year.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
I have had a
number of positive steps in the right direction:</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Myself
and a fellow writer (correction: a fellow <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">fabulous</b>
writer) Rosi Hollinbeck completed and submitted our poetry collection about
seasons. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a fantastic accomplishment
that was, especially the number of poems we wrote.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>I
attended a conference and received positive feedback from an editor on one of
my manuscripts, in addition to the names of two houses I should consider
submitting it to.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>I
sent out a large number of manuscripts to agents and publishing houses, and
eagerly await a response.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>I
have joined a middle grade critique group, and am working diligently on
improving my middle grade book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was
a big step for me, especially since my previous foci has always been picture
books and poetry.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
And now, #5, the most exciting news of all
(duhn-duhn-nuh-nuuuuh!):</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>I
received a bite for one of my manuscripts from a publishing house, who deemed
it “charming” and asked me if it were still available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It feels incredible to receive an interest
from an editor, and I hope the house decides to pursue it (fingers, toes, arms,
legs, and eyes crossed!).</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
I have a great feeling about this year, and I am hoping that
it too will be filled with many more positive experiences, and even larger
strides toward my goal of becoming a published author.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<em><span style="color: cyan; font-size: x-large;">Moving forward!</span></em></div>
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JaNayBWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17019536981183646518noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929797194836795826.post-78691894114942143952012-11-29T21:34:00.002-08:002012-11-29T21:56:01.643-08:00Some thoughts on writing fiction...and J.K. Rowling<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGRYVMeqrAok7VGZEMQhISby8hviHcy59kRVG0tI16A-C9Jb5ARvLn6hLMFWEw5-btGcMevoQHkfEc0D2qcFaODou40tXASOlsnPBqRGJL_AjIhWvmBVRlPgOORcU2OkyntyuoVtv4rg/s1600/Writer.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGRYVMeqrAok7VGZEMQhISby8hviHcy59kRVG0tI16A-C9Jb5ARvLn6hLMFWEw5-btGcMevoQHkfEc0D2qcFaODou40tXASOlsnPBqRGJL_AjIhWvmBVRlPgOORcU2OkyntyuoVtv4rg/s1600/Writer.png" /></a>Writing fiction is no easy endeavor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, think about all that goes into it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have to figure out what you want to say,
who your characters are, where your story takes place, when it takes place,
what happens and what the plot includes, what the conflict is and how it’s
solved (and that’s just general fiction).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And then, once you have that idea, you have to make each of these
aspects real, believable, and of course interesting, or else no one would want
to read your work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then you have to
worry about word count or page count, tenses and grammar (of course those have
to be accurate), consistency in the world you create (time, place, character)
and so on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And after all that is done,
now you must edit and cut and revise (over and over and over again!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And even after all that, there’s no guarantee
that your “masterpiece” will even reach the bookshelves through publication.<br />
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But that’s okay, because, despite the struggle and time,
those who enjoy writing, keep coming back to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We continue to challenge ourselves to see what we can create, and how we
can make our work and ourselves even better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
We consistently allow ourselves to be moved by inspiration, and work to capture it onto our pages. </span>I am becoming a firmer believer about the importance of the process, the motion of what it
takes to get there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like the words of
India Arie’s song <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Beautiful Day</i>
“Life is a journey, not a destination/ There are no mistakes, just chances
we’ve taken”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, I’ll be excited
to see what my finished product will be, but the unpredictability of the
“getting there” is just as exciting. A little daunting, and sometimes a little disheartening, but exciting nonetheless.</div>
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So, after thinking about all that it takes to be a writer, I
sit in awe of those who have done it and who have done it so well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enter: J.K. Rowling.</div>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQE515JeHzP4jft-clvUS2_snaA3tliREAK45UvuGCQcMb1Mm3e8g" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="196" data-width="257" height="196" id="rg_hi" sb_id="ms__id1039" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQE515JeHzP4jft-clvUS2_snaA3tliREAK45UvuGCQcMb1Mm3e8g" style="height: 196px; width: 257px;" width="257" /></a>I thought I’d write a little about J.K. Rowling because her
work is awe-inspiring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have read the
Harry Potter series and I have watched the movies over and over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And each time, I continue to be in awe of her
work:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>her characters and their quirks
and imperfections; her settings and their “real-life feel”; her plot lines
within each book as well as spread across seven books total; her creation of a
new language (muggles, mudbloods, and so on) and of a new culture all together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s no wonder why her World of Harry Potter
has become such a world-wide phenomenon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her words have certainly had an effect on me that is difficult to
explain; all I can do is sit back and continue to be enthralled in the world
she created.</div>
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So Ms. Rowling, thank you for being such a talented
writer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you for creating something
that I have fallen in love with, something that me and my sisters have created
so much history and so many memories with, something that I hope to share with
my own kids one day when I have them, and something that inspires me to keep at
my craft and become a better writer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank
you!</div>
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<o:p> <img alt="" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="194" data-width="259" height="149" id="rg_hi" sb_id="ms__id1888" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTQzK_qHlZk2oy_jsrraHPPGSKsbEcbDFDNH6q_ZSQWCitMmeFs" style="height: 194px; width: 259px;" width="200" /></o:p></div>
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<strong><span style="color: red;">Now to figure out how to do it myself!</span></strong></div>
JaNayBWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17019536981183646518noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929797194836795826.post-68163830660415019622012-11-11T20:50:00.002-08:002012-11-29T21:55:33.870-08:00Warmth<br />
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The quickly approaching holidays always puts me into a
nostalgic mood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reminisce about happy childhood
times that I have shared with family and friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think about the winter drives down
Christmas tree lane where the streets were lined with impeccably decorated
houses—lights twinkling brightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or the
short lived tradition of eating at IHOP (complete with hot cocoa stirred with a
candy cane) before going to the tree farm to select the perfect tree—and all
the eight-legged stowaway “friends” that also found their way into our
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think about family members coming from all
parts of California to celebrate Thanksgiving at Grandma’s house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or going from one family member’s house to
the next, and somehow finding a space in our stomachs to pack away a few more
bites of holiday treats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think about
New Year’s Eve sparkling apple cider, and seafood gumbo on New Year’s Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think about the smiles we shared, the games
we played, and the memories we built together.</div>
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<o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheb2byDhAB7BdUjedCK88lLIpdFok-1ROcyr56EGQgiycxlfK7h2pW02kofQhzxkuMXYtEo7_zvFcJb9Ns8nT0I1v9qFHsfRq4tSIlLMqzhR_Wvn06QCcFSJt7fefOAElagOXzIJ5AK3c/s1600/fireplace.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheb2byDhAB7BdUjedCK88lLIpdFok-1ROcyr56EGQgiycxlfK7h2pW02kofQhzxkuMXYtEo7_zvFcJb9Ns8nT0I1v9qFHsfRq4tSIlLMqzhR_Wvn06QCcFSJt7fefOAElagOXzIJ5AK3c/s320/fireplace.png" width="320" /></a>And as I reminisce about times that fill my heart, I
endeavor to capture this warmth in the stories that I write.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How wonderful it would be that each time
someone reads a story I write, they are filled with happiness, even though their
experiences may have been different than mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Isn’t that a great goal to strive for?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Writing that captures and warms the hearts of all who read it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I think that if I am able to perfect infusing these happy
feelings into my writing, that I will be forever preserving a childhood that I
knew, and that was so wonderful to me.</div>
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But of course, I think that taking the time to reflect on my
own happy memories is a great first step toward this goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, it’s often an inspiration for new stories
to come.</div>
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<o:p><strong> </strong></o:p></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy November, everyone!</span></strong></div>
JaNayBWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17019536981183646518noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929797194836795826.post-40829312608761762172012-10-28T19:00:00.000-07:002012-11-29T21:54:50.231-08:00My Perfect Recipe<div style="text-align: center;">
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Add one big blue, cloudless sky</div>
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A couple green, green, grassy hills</div>
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Half a warm and gentle breeze</div>
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A few soft bluebird and swallow songs</div>
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One extra long glistening lake</div>
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A sprinkle of fresh river air</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Turn on the sun to medium heat.</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Add one tensed up and stressed out me</div>
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And one cozy, yellow blanket too</div>
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A touch of quiet</div>
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A dab of peace</div>
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Turn when golden brown.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0JUtWhldMhEKnRg2UEPtcuzz_wRu0fMT39Ihm6I4Ww8mIb1HCRHVEq9rVeou8YKNETavgOBTaY_Dx-gxLFnsb_7sA_NYqNWE14hTFOhY6-acG1O2hyphenhyphenZ_eA7XNeD1tkngeUvBzz__Ns4/s1600/pretty+tahoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0JUtWhldMhEKnRg2UEPtcuzz_wRu0fMT39Ihm6I4Ww8mIb1HCRHVEq9rVeou8YKNETavgOBTaY_Dx-gxLFnsb_7sA_NYqNWE14hTFOhY6-acG1O2hyphenhyphenZ_eA7XNeD1tkngeUvBzz__Ns4/s320/pretty+tahoe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The breath-taking inspiration of nature!</div>
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JaNayBWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17019536981183646518noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929797194836795826.post-42682096582114032822012-10-27T20:36:00.001-07:002012-11-29T21:54:19.327-08:00Taking Notes from Experts<br />
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Hello, hello, HELLO!</div>
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It has been much too long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have been busy, busy, busy (planning a wedding, getting married,
honeymooning, and starting a new job teaching at a community college, and of course writing too).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boy, the last few months have been
packed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, now that things are
beginning to cool down, I am rejoining the blogosphere—and with writers news
too!</div>
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Today, I had the pleasure of attending a book launch for Jeri
Chase Ferris’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Noah Webster and his Words</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was an intimate event where many people
came together to celebrate the release of her new book. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And what a book it is!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It follows the life of Noah Webster, the
writer of the dictionary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only was
it an intriguing book, but so informational!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>AND, Jeri has been given several awards including star reviews from
School Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus, Horn Book, and has been deemed the “pick
of the week” in California Kids and has been selected by the Junior Library
Guild for Fall 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow!</div>
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Obviously, she is an expert, so I took note of the wonderful
atmosphere Jeri set for the occasion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She had cookies and coffee for her guests, a guestbook, a display of
other books she’s written (10+), letters and artifacts from the publishing process
for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Noah</i>, and lots of books to
sell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sold and signed several copies
of her book, and everyone seemed so happy to be there.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjby-9RVW4hgBrG0gUN0A8HaCxUVo-uoHB2mLCUK6z-giLFWA-zsstzMxV0zncx6d4g4mON9R8j6RegxANlPMg0hHO3i2wpdrbn91Z7q_C_6MfrFY3-OXmH-zJ-b0fFwZ9Cp7YwDuXW67M/s1600/Noah+and+his+words.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjby-9RVW4hgBrG0gUN0A8HaCxUVo-uoHB2mLCUK6z-giLFWA-zsstzMxV0zncx6d4g4mON9R8j6RegxANlPMg0hHO3i2wpdrbn91Z7q_C_6MfrFY3-OXmH-zJ-b0fFwZ9Cp7YwDuXW67M/s320/Noah+and+his+words.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I just want to say “job well done, Jeri!” and
congratulations on the new book, all the great reviews and awards, and on a
successful book launch!</div>
JaNayBWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17019536981183646518noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929797194836795826.post-72602874144155194872012-04-08T22:56:00.000-07:002012-10-27T20:00:57.050-07:002012 Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9OJrMlkEtmOLx1x-10d5T-J2DI74HKo5UmyNFuw1YYA7fPKzNK9sDsjNXxxf-rB31W7pDW_DG4Zv23X5amL8isBT8jTDSt_ZDZsCrsx7RCGeduieRdHtYB6YGYj9WJCaFYhJ49t_VaY/s1600/CWIM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9OJrMlkEtmOLx1x-10d5T-J2DI74HKo5UmyNFuw1YYA7fPKzNK9sDsjNXxxf-rB31W7pDW_DG4Zv23X5amL8isBT8jTDSt_ZDZsCrsx7RCGeduieRdHtYB6YGYj9WJCaFYhJ49t_VaY/s200/CWIM.jpg" width="153" /></a><br />
Today’s short blog is about the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">2012 Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market</i>, a fabulous resource for the aspiring author.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This book is a 400 page source that includes insightful articles, sample letters, and lists of valuable information regarding publishers, agents, conferences, and contests.<br />
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So why do I mention it today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I finally had a chance to closely scour the pages in search for publishing houses and literacy agencies that I am planning to query.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to do this for quite some time, but I finally I have had the chance to, and I look forward to typing up my own list to begin sending out again (YAY!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One check off of my to-do list).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Of course writing always includes research to make sure what you are writing is realistic, but it also requires putting in plenty of time to research houses and agencies that are looking for what you write.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<o:p> </o:p><br />
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Always and again, onward and onward!</div>
JaNayBWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17019536981183646518noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929797194836795826.post-79945095139680826832012-03-26T10:30:00.000-07:002012-03-26T10:30:41.382-07:00To Copyright Or Not To Copyright?Last week, I sat in on a short workshop geared for high school students that discussed what it takes to become an author.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am always interested to see what other authors talk about, especially when their message is targeted at children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The facilitator of the workshop informed the students of many basic steps one must take to become an author.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I listened to his presentation, the thing that jumped out at me most was his emphasis on copyrighting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told the students that it is imperative to copyright their work before they send it out because it is possible for a publisher to like their work, take their work, and publish it through someone else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Further, he used an example of Sophia Stewart, an author who claimed that she wrote the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Matrix</i> and that it had been stolen from her. <br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">After doing a little research myself, I only found conflicting information about whether Stewart’s claim is true or not, and whether she did, in fact, win a lawsuit concerning her claim.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">With all that said, I remember hearing somewhere, some time ago, that writers don’t need to copyright because since their idea is theirs, it belongs to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But after hearing this facilitator’s message, it has made me question, is it necessary to copyright your work before you send it out to editors, agents, and publishers?</div><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><strong> </strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><strong><o:p> </o:p>What do you think: <u>To copyright or not to copyright?</u></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyE4dCzultfWox15VO17nM-JTi_mhKoiHoRIglzf_V1tESfrpnW67sGg26rb6z-wCsPVg3zLIyz_BVHgtocNFI0_LCmIMzqsmeioX9z6_V53727EBLirMghDAZl2J1HW7mpGjuYpaUZk/s1600/copyright.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyE4dCzultfWox15VO17nM-JTi_mhKoiHoRIglzf_V1tESfrpnW67sGg26rb6z-wCsPVg3zLIyz_BVHgtocNFI0_LCmIMzqsmeioX9z6_V53727EBLirMghDAZl2J1HW7mpGjuYpaUZk/s1600/copyright.png" /></a></div>JaNayBWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17019536981183646518noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929797194836795826.post-5821245603934928742012-03-18T16:45:00.000-07:002012-03-18T16:45:13.989-07:00A Full Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPMGhavb7MH-a3CddeOVby1EzuIZlUEAHfvx8ikgcVOifLEP3AEt-rUM8CoYoNiv3FFRQHUviuQXPB5qXGn0Hk_Z9zM9nBaFbu1fkyRJ3NXl1BT_cs0NZsUlqryxGKBLueworXihSots/s1600/True+story+of+3+pigs.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPMGhavb7MH-a3CddeOVby1EzuIZlUEAHfvx8ikgcVOifLEP3AEt-rUM8CoYoNiv3FFRQHUviuQXPB5qXGn0Hk_Z9zM9nBaFbu1fkyRJ3NXl1BT_cs0NZsUlqryxGKBLueworXihSots/s200/True+story+of+3+pigs.bmp" width="156" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtGxcBTJgaY3FRYF-aVIIAKKEIWTN6YRcOqRZu_SA3QVg302oMOpNUQlPkvobf5vsoqf2UxGsPcqrcO4PxSI_jesXUlCzgKy-b2i82kbBWv8b-z3gf4pcZn5KGGGLBpAqiXzgsvlKfL0/s1600/Ms+Brooks+books.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtGxcBTJgaY3FRYF-aVIIAKKEIWTN6YRcOqRZu_SA3QVg302oMOpNUQlPkvobf5vsoqf2UxGsPcqrcO4PxSI_jesXUlCzgKy-b2i82kbBWv8b-z3gf4pcZn5KGGGLBpAqiXzgsvlKfL0/s200/Ms+Brooks+books.bmp" width="155" /></a>As an unpublished picture book author, I am blessed to have a job that allows me to go into classrooms and read to children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so, in the spirit of “Read Across California” month, I stepped into two classrooms to share my love of reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I read “Miss Brooks Loves Books (and I don’t)” by Barbara Bottner, illustrated by Michael Emberley, and of course one of my all time favorites, “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs” by Lane Smith and Jon Scieszka.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The children enjoyed it!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">Oh, did I mention I read two of my own manuscript too?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Yes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>I read some of my own work as well</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And students made comments like “I really liked that!” and “I hope you get published”, not to mention “You’re gonna be famous!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: red; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">My heart is full</span></strong>.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">I finally stepped out of my comfort zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess I was a little intimidated by the idea of sharing my work with children, before it was published, because it kind of felt like sharing an unfinished project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But instead of thinking of it that way, I have decided to use it as a learning experience for myself and the children I read to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">I started off by asking the students if they liked writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of them would raise their hands and say that they did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told them that I did too when I was their age, and now that I am older, I still do—so much so that I want to write children’s books, and am in the process of doing so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, I told them that it’s important to listen to their teachers when it comes to editing papers, because that’s a skill they will use their whole lives, especially if they want to write books one day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next, I showed them what a manuscript looks like, and I held it up next to a published book and ask them to compare (what is different between a manuscript and a published book, besides the obvious that one is published and one isn’t).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that, I told them that since my manuscript didn’t have any pictures yet, that they get to close their eyes and make their own pictures in their minds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">And guess what...they sat and listened contently to the whole story—and really seemed to enjoy it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Man did that feel like a success!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">I also told them that as long as they work hard on their education, they could be anything they want to be, even an author!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last, I showed them a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Highlights for Kids Magazine</i> and told them how one day my poems would be in the magazine since I had sold two poems to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Highlights</i>.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">One of the teachers said he really enjoyed my talk, and that it’s great for students to hear my message.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I now plan to use opportunities to read to children as a way to share my love for reading, to teach, and to confirm that they really can do anything they want to do!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Nothing like kids to perk up your spirits and reaffirm why you do what you do!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t wait to share this message in the future while holding one of my own published picture books!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, if rejections are like <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmba4cJwvBswu01Qt_MMnD_90jIWlwkf5LVrPqvH4OQVea7HAAYGNYy-1lZCU7P1viYpHCBz2DR7YAkHv3eySAyfBn1Z3FheyFhwe2m0Y8Yt8aHBos2DjqidyYgbBrn4Q14AgnsTLGBWA/s1600/road+block.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmba4cJwvBswu01Qt_MMnD_90jIWlwkf5LVrPqvH4OQVea7HAAYGNYy-1lZCU7P1viYpHCBz2DR7YAkHv3eySAyfBn1Z3FheyFhwe2m0Y8Yt8aHBos2DjqidyYgbBrn4Q14AgnsTLGBWA/s200/road+block.png" width="200" /></a>'s on my path to publishing...</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"> <strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">THEN</span></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">reading to kids would be like finding a<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPZkIO3ybRbHvQQ9KFEjzYfPQDi_W5e_WzIgrAZq0sikdyoyYdaAE6uy5V4N5m9qnNOSvjD3_m_2ZX8z55uO_QIhc4UyWoXh_XF5kHckXMNvn3M-euiZq5bOce-bSMlnSgOEz-MlnYug/s1600/map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPZkIO3ybRbHvQQ9KFEjzYfPQDi_W5e_WzIgrAZq0sikdyoyYdaAE6uy5V4N5m9qnNOSvjD3_m_2ZX8z55uO_QIhc4UyWoXh_XF5kHckXMNvn3M-euiZq5bOce-bSMlnSgOEz-MlnYug/s200/map.png" width="179" /></a>reminding me of my <em>destination</em>.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">On I go! Forward! Forward!</div>JaNayBWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17019536981183646518noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929797194836795826.post-32292010353118895692012-03-11T21:53:00.001-07:002012-03-11T21:53:56.433-07:00Blogging in March<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Oh me! Oh my! It’s been too long!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluGdRbMl6yYfI73emUImUuZI_DmtEmk1oo9Ayi9xYzfr5Fxnt81xikVLXPyny3yWYPtur5w9DJGNY1xemk7TQfEKQUTZG2J0vRymOXFmmTWLaUB7kQfT1lP7CQr5ZINAzcIlOKUPUEr4/s1600/carousel.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluGdRbMl6yYfI73emUImUuZI_DmtEmk1oo9Ayi9xYzfr5Fxnt81xikVLXPyny3yWYPtur5w9DJGNY1xemk7TQfEKQUTZG2J0vRymOXFmmTWLaUB7kQfT1lP7CQr5ZINAzcIlOKUPUEr4/s1600/carousel.png" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">You know how sometimes, life feels like it’s moving so fast—full speed like a carousel spinning and spinning and spinning and you hope that the horse that you are riding doesn’t come un-poled and send you flying off into oblivion. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Yea, it’s kind of been like that lately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, it feels so good to be back on my blog.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Although I have not heard any new publishing news over the last month and a half (man, has it really been that long?), a couple cool things have occurred pertaining to my publishing path.</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>An exciting picture book idea popped into my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s always a good thing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am working to finalize it so I can send it out as soon as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am feeling very good about it.</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Rosi (one of my wonderful picture book critique group family members) and I are working quite hard on our poetry book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a collected a nice amount of poems, and we are moving closer and closer to completion and submission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yay!</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>I received an incredibly informative interview from fabulous children’s author Sue Fliess, and not to mention copies of her fun books “Shoes For Me!” and “A Dress For Me!”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll find her interview on my “Points from the Published” tab.</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>I celebrated Read Across America Day as well as the birthday of one of my idols, Dr. Seuss, with books and children—I’ll post a separate post about that.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">So, as days go by, I keep to my path, with my heart full of hope, and my eyes to the sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Keeping it moving!</div><div align="center"></div>JaNayBWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17019536981183646518noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929797194836795826.post-22327947193962558742012-03-11T21:29:00.002-07:002012-03-11T21:56:22.923-07:00Past Points from the Published-- Marsha Diane Arnold<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><strong>From J</strong><strong>anuary 26th, 2012</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Marsha Diane Arnold</span></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I am so happy that I had a chance to communicate with the talented Marsha Diane Arnold. She and I came in contact through the NorCal SCBWI e-mail group, and I am already learning so much from her! Here are her answers to my "Points from the Published" interview questions. Enjoy!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIiMsZQHEU-Eb09BVFh9kFWTRtxslkEdz6QmV8vFS0AAKLejqZL2JNVTiK2POOzfNuftmCaClJOfmLklhUjPszAiJNbLeHLD1SWo5tzCHbuj69BEepkwmVKpWLVm0Q9gGLzDOPGkYP88/s1600/DSC_1622+-+Version+5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIiMsZQHEU-Eb09BVFh9kFWTRtxslkEdz6QmV8vFS0AAKLejqZL2JNVTiK2POOzfNuftmCaClJOfmLklhUjPszAiJNbLeHLD1SWo5tzCHbuj69BEepkwmVKpWLVm0Q9gGLzDOPGkYP88/s320/DSC_1622+-+Version+5.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;"></span><u><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><strong>1. What was your path to publishing a book?</strong></span></span></span><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"></span></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="color: black;">As I tell students at school presentations, “I always loved to read, but I never thought of being a writer until I was grown with two children of my own.”</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="color: black;">Indeed, it was my children who inspired me to write.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started with a weekly newspaper column, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">homegrown treasures</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wrote it for ten years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being on deadlines (I like to call them lifelines) and having to come up with something new and creative every week was very good writing practice. The column was well received, had a limited syndication, and won three Local Columnist awards from the California Newspaper Association.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s very encouraging when people like your work!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="color: black;">During this time, I started to write both fiction and non-fiction stories for kids’ magazines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But my heart’s desire was to write a picture book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After I wrote the manuscript for my first book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Heart of a Tiger</i>, I started submitting it to NYC publishers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was rejected 13 times before I found the editor who loved it as much as I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, for most of us, becoming a writer takes patience and perseverance. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it’s worth it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Heart of a Tiger </i>has touched the hearts of many children and adults and has won more awards than any of my other books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One was the Ridgway award for “Best First Book by a New Author.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was on my way.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><span style="color: red; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times New Roman;"><strong><u>2<span style="color: #20124d;">. How long have you been in this business? When did you start? When did you get your first book published?</span></u></strong></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Thank you to Marsha Diane Arnold for taking the time to answer my “Points from the Published” questions.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: black;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;">Heart of a Tiger</span></i><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"> was published in 1995; I started writing my column, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">homegrown treasures</i>” in 1985.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> </span><span style="color: red; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><strong><u><span style="color: #20124d;">3. What inspires you or motivates you to carry on?</span></u></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="color: black;">It was my children who inspired the “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">homegrown treasures”</i> column.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truly, I’m inspired and enthralled by so many things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The difficult part is to choose and to focus on one idea at time.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;">I’ve been lucky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My books are well-loved by children and parents alike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they ask me about my next book, I always feel I need to go home, sit down at my computer, and write another book for them.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times New Roman;"><strong><u>4. Do you have another job or is writing your only job?</u></strong></span></span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="color: black;">Let’s see…I’m a gardener, a yoga enthusiast, a line-dancer, a photographer, a hiker, and a bird watcher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sadly, none of those pay me for my efforts!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="color: black;">I am a writer, and as with many writers, I do author visits throughout the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first I was terrified to stand before a crowd of 200 or more, but now I enjoy it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve traveled all over the world visiting schools and giving presentations and writing “funshops”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can see where I’ve been on my website here: </span></span><a href="http://bit.ly/w4XJQt"><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="color: black;">http://bit.ly/w4XJQt</span></span></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;">. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also speak at conventions, young author’s festivals, and enjoy being on the faculty for writing conferences.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: red; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> </span><span style="color: red; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"></span></div><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times New Roman;"><strong><u>5. Do you have an agent? If yes, what steps did you take to obtain one?</u></strong></span></span></span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="color: black;">Yes, my agent is the amazing Karen Grencik of Red Fox Literary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="color: black;">I sold all 11 of my published books by myself, but in today’s publishing arena, I believe having an agent is important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was lucky that when I approached Karen last year, she loved my manuscripts and agreed to work with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="color: black;">I learned about agents through SCBWI, the Internet, and books at my library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After reading about different literary agencies and agents, I decided which to approach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s important to have the right agent for your personality and style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My agent, Karen Grencik, is discerning, supportive, and a wonderful cheerleader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think we are a good match!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"></div><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times New Roman;"><strong><u>6. What advice would you give to a new writer?</u></strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> </span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="color: black;">Know that becoming a published author can take time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In today’s world, there are many roads to becoming published, but the road I know is that of traditional publishing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My publishers are Dial Books for Young Readers (Penguin), Random House, and Abrams, all fabulous publishing houses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The editors I worked with are fabulous as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, it took me a long time to become one of their authors.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="color: black;">When I decided to write picture books, the first thing I did was go to the library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I read all the books I could find on how to write a picture book as well as books on the business of writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I joined SCBWI; they provide so many of the answers. SCBWI will connect you with other writers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are constantly organizing conferences, where you can meet editors and agents and learn the basics as well as the details. I started a writers’ group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Writers’ groups are great for sharing your stories with others, getting critiques, and supporting one another on the journey.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="color: black;">With the launch of my revamped website, I’ve decided to start offering manuscript consultations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So once your idea has been developed into a picture book story and has been written and rewritten and rewritten, I’m available for input.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can read more about my consultations at: </span></span><a href="http://bit.ly/xYkDxx"><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="color: black;">http://bit.ly/xYkDxx</span></span></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="color: black;">.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="color: black;">Most important, write about what you are passionate about, be professional, and enjoy the journey!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now stop reading about me and go be the Creative You!</span></span></div></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><br />
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Here are some of Marsha Diane Arnold's wonderful books:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6Zq5dzmvdHy_MmI1QTsLNyv1Y933Hd3qjMf5EeChBl46W74NKSnGNhcd_mWk565gCNrZ5CXSuI0f5U9pEVcJkZVo0wmTM-cpyrPbZNxKs10cRIAySoVeSwTGfNtgAJ5U2GDZP90SYPQ/s1600/hp_scanDS_671293520.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6Zq5dzmvdHy_MmI1QTsLNyv1Y933Hd3qjMf5EeChBl46W74NKSnGNhcd_mWk565gCNrZ5CXSuI0f5U9pEVcJkZVo0wmTM-cpyrPbZNxKs10cRIAySoVeSwTGfNtgAJ5U2GDZP90SYPQ/s200/hp_scanDS_671293520.jpeg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNmz-jTEq4-fiXUDhhVzV0FP5XoXov5nCve3Iy8AuUEQHY_W6-8R0bufVCHI0Un5sm2pWKnVSShSY_TDyVJUe0Em38HdS0BiBVR-MvDnT-wifzejMwDPagUkXBqdkLf3H-EN1OEMDmDk/s1600/hp_scanDS_641511543412.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNmz-jTEq4-fiXUDhhVzV0FP5XoXov5nCve3Iy8AuUEQHY_W6-8R0bufVCHI0Un5sm2pWKnVSShSY_TDyVJUe0Em38HdS0BiBVR-MvDnT-wifzejMwDPagUkXBqdkLf3H-EN1OEMDmDk/s200/hp_scanDS_641511543412.jpeg" width="155" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppo7QX5ESgjwkmK1CwfNTlcoMDA-YJWLl6ffVZNtfmMVaBO5A0Qw7Yd9NDlpPnTs0arQMEPP46_zBuPC-gDIx6wblxn4pUob-Cs_uLMtCxN2qzVmCKVIOt9k0wl7_8fPrBLrM2FfmmoM/s1600/scan_613193744_1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppo7QX5ESgjwkmK1CwfNTlcoMDA-YJWLl6ffVZNtfmMVaBO5A0Qw7Yd9NDlpPnTs0arQMEPP46_zBuPC-gDIx6wblxn4pUob-Cs_uLMtCxN2qzVmCKVIOt9k0wl7_8fPrBLrM2FfmmoM/s200/scan_613193744_1.jpeg" width="145" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="color: black;">You can learn more about Marsha Diane Arnold at:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.marshadianearnold.com/"><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="color: purple;">www.marshadianearnold.com</span></span></a><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.storymagician.com/"><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="color: purple;">www.storymagician.com</span></span></a><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://www.earthsvoices.com/">http://www.earthsvoices.com/</a></span></span></div>JaNayBWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17019536981183646518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929797194836795826.post-26207313871353725792012-03-11T20:57:00.001-07:002012-03-11T20:57:58.953-07:00Past Point's from the Published--Mira Reisberg<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><strong>October 8th, 2011</strong></span> <br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Mira Reisberg</span></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><stroke joinstyle="miter"></stroke><formulas><f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></f><f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></f><f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></f><f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></f><f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></f></formulas><path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"></path><lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></lock></shapetype></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Today, I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Dr. Mira Reisberg while participating in one of her full day workshops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dr. Reisberg has illustrated several books including <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Uncle Nacho’s Hat</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Where Fireflies Dance</i>, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Baby Rattlesnake</i>, to name a few.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Below are her answers to my “Points from the Published” interview.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBcLJnnRkL1TOG8ND9hNtdLJ1ms1F36ByhnUWloYOLxtCbvstZvqVObbcbf0JdnWsYt6zi1-X-pzI1-wQNv-NKYLDi9A0Z25JGMTLFej2oqISW5a7i-s9-fgRHVKQKl6TOLF8J5SCPjY/s1600/Reisberg+pix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBcLJnnRkL1TOG8ND9hNtdLJ1ms1F36ByhnUWloYOLxtCbvstZvqVObbcbf0JdnWsYt6zi1-X-pzI1-wQNv-NKYLDi9A0Z25JGMTLFej2oqISW5a7i-s9-fgRHVKQKl6TOLF8J5SCPjY/s1600/Reisberg+pix.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><strong><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-themecolor: text1;"><u>What was your path to publishing a book?</u></span></strong></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Like many things, I fell into it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s an unusual story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A publisher saw an exhibition of my artwork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’d been looking for illustrators for a book about change, and had a hard time finding one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My art was intense and colorful, and told stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The publisher, named Harriet Rohmer, was the founder and publisher for Children’s Book Press.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She asked me if I wanted to do a book and I said yes so I illustrated my first book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Uncle Nacho’s Hat</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book has been reprinted in many languages, was a Reading Rainbow book, got a Unicef Award Citation, and was one of the first bilingual and multicultural children picture books.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><strong><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-themecolor: text1;"><u>How long have you been in this business?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When did you start?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When did you get your first book published?</u></span></strong></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">“I have been in the business since early 1988.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Uncle Nacho’s Hat</i> was published in 1989.”</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><strong><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-themecolor: text1;"><u>What inspires you and what motivates you to carry on?</u></span></strong></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">“It isn’t the money!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was raised with the prime directive to help make a better world, and I do that with my art, teaching, and children’s picture books.”</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><strong><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-themecolor: text1;"><u>Do you have another job or is writing your only job?</u></span></strong></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">“I am a writer and illustrator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also do picture book consulting through Skype with people from all over the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I teach classes, like this one, and online classes like Hero Art Journey that teaches people how to draw and paint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They learn about multiculturalism, world mythology, personal growth, and children’s books in fun ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be teaching my first online class on illustrating children’s picture books sometime next year.”</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><strong><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-themecolor: text1;"><u>Do you have an agent?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If yes, what steps did you take to obtain one?</u></span></strong></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">“No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A part of me would like one, but I’d have to find the right person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve heard horror stories, but it’s getting harder and harder to submit without an agent.”</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><strong><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-themecolor: text1;"><u>What advice would you give to a new writer?</u></span></strong></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">“Read as many picture books as you can; buy <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dr. Mira’s Children’s Picture Book Writing, Illustrating, and Publishing Workbook;</i> joins the SCBWI; read books on the craft; take courses; refer people to <a href="http://www.herosartjourney.com/"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">www.herosartjourney.com</span></a> and miraresiberg.com.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, you need to be persistent, have a good product, have patience, and make a beautiful journal called ‘Reflections and Comments’ and put a big heart on it.”</span></div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"> <stroke joinstyle="miter"></stroke><formulas><f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></f><f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></f><f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></f><f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></f><f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></f></formulas><path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"></path><lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></lock><shape alt="Yncle nacho" id="_x0000_s1026" style="height: 151.5pt; margin-left: 204pt; margin-top: 261.8pt; mso-height-relative: page; mso-position-horizontal-relative: text; mso-position-vertical-relative: text; mso-width-relative: page; position: absolute; width: 132pt; z-index: 251658240;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:href="http://www.mirareisberg.com/images/2007images/books/Nacho-cover-sized.jpg" src="file:///C:\Users\NAYBAH~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"></imagedata></shape> <stroke joinstyle="miter"></stroke><formulas><f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></f><f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></f><f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></f><f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></f><f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></f></formulas><path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"></path><lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></lock><shape alt="Yncle nacho" id="_x0000_s1026" style="height: 151.5pt; margin-left: 204pt; margin-top: 261.8pt; mso-height-relative: page; mso-position-horizontal-relative: text; mso-position-vertical-relative: text; mso-width-relative: page; position: absolute; width: 132pt; z-index: 251658240;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:href="http://www.mirareisberg.com/images/2007images/books/Nacho-cover-sized.jpg" src="file:///C:\Users\NAYBAH~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"></imagedata></shape><stroke joinstyle="miter"></stroke><formulas><f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></f><f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></f><f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></f><f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></f><f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></f></formulas><path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"></path><lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></lock><shape alt="Yncle nacho" id="_x0000_s1026" style="height: 151.5pt; margin-left: 204pt; margin-top: 261.8pt; mso-height-relative: page; mso-position-horizontal-relative: text; mso-position-vertical-relative: text; mso-width-relative: page; position: absolute; width: 132pt; z-index: 251658240;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:href="http://www.mirareisberg.com/images/2007images/books/Nacho-cover-sized.jpg" src="file:///C:\Users\NAYBAH~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"></imagedata></shape></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">Thank you to Dr. Reisberg for taking the time to answer my “Points from the Published” questions, and giving me permission to post your answers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;">Here are some of Dr. Mira Reisberg's books!</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zEkyVCjRepyUIie2Ip2iydLD44VC3Pgc6W8Ga2lxPZ0ALHK59iz0QuobSQgMM0I74UTPCYlok2-Kh2PpoDigQhh2OySg0W8qhgXK7w7kmhTSXlbyEXSRyAJb22jeJ9JWm4gi3EXcEfQ/s1600/Reisberg+Baby+rattlesnake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zEkyVCjRepyUIie2Ip2iydLD44VC3Pgc6W8Ga2lxPZ0ALHK59iz0QuobSQgMM0I74UTPCYlok2-Kh2PpoDigQhh2OySg0W8qhgXK7w7kmhTSXlbyEXSRyAJb22jeJ9JWm4gi3EXcEfQ/s200/Reisberg+Baby+rattlesnake.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhw8yAkj_MIlgTkInWm2zP-2E5SrDRzNGhBfAPe4Ks8d5oiUGcX_MpYFwyaVRCtqB74NOrAwk_kL7dXU70yBVvmCj4Qs23b6esdXkadEhtklpPYsDITcXYT2RlHvxHL2beJozKHdznMY/s1600/Resiberg+Nacho-cover-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhw8yAkj_MIlgTkInWm2zP-2E5SrDRzNGhBfAPe4Ks8d5oiUGcX_MpYFwyaVRCtqB74NOrAwk_kL7dXU70yBVvmCj4Qs23b6esdXkadEhtklpPYsDITcXYT2RlHvxHL2beJozKHdznMY/s200/Resiberg+Nacho-cover-sized.jpg" width="173" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5VVv8M-dObUOVZ7qITD2kJI8wDLl4GY3Kv9i_aPshYqv1zWI0vMzjDxXE_whT7i3r6bvzBBd3b16cVnLOq8psTSjDRrYq4KiD5i8Ejq2lqUXGLZ5eGmtyTzigaWjUmHTKlFQHudtvAU/s1600/Reisberg+Fireflies-cover-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5VVv8M-dObUOVZ7qITD2kJI8wDLl4GY3Kv9i_aPshYqv1zWI0vMzjDxXE_whT7i3r6bvzBBd3b16cVnLOq8psTSjDRrYq4KiD5i8Ejq2lqUXGLZ5eGmtyTzigaWjUmHTKlFQHudtvAU/s200/Reisberg+Fireflies-cover-sized.jpg" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="164" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">You can learn more about Dr. Reisberg and the vast knowledge she offers by visiting her websites:</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><a href="http://www.mirareisberg.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">http://www.mirareisberg.blogspot.com/</span></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><a href="http://www.mirareisberg.com/"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">http://www.mirareisberg.com/</span></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><u>www.herosartjourney.com</u></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div></div></div>JaNayBWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17019536981183646518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929797194836795826.post-21088033250815412832012-01-29T19:46:00.000-08:002012-01-30T08:54:38.048-08:00Blue Ribbon Metaphor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zuVET6zxoo53RbXoyHdKdem3I5dFgub3wXTgqBvbWftOF8oqJyQeiiB_9nd_PbR-NUqBpkXGPhaIidwKTyjPCoGKyN3STjvrNhGahO8YZ0A2IEVWkwgg3OpYBHPtKawTbXmMmjhrW_A/s1600/stereo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zuVET6zxoo53RbXoyHdKdem3I5dFgub3wXTgqBvbWftOF8oqJyQeiiB_9nd_PbR-NUqBpkXGPhaIidwKTyjPCoGKyN3STjvrNhGahO8YZ0A2IEVWkwgg3OpYBHPtKawTbXmMmjhrW_A/s200/stereo.png" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">What is metaphor?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">According to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Merriam-Webster Dictionary</i>, a metaphor is “a figure of speech in which a word for one idea or thing is used in place of another to suggest a likeness between them” (p. 464, 1997).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In writing classes, and even English classes, students learn about metaphors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it often seems hard to effectively use a metaphor without sounding clichéd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, how often have you heard “his voice was music to my ears” or “her heart was a drum” or “she’s a hungry pig”, and so on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All hackneyed and overused examples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">But what’s the key to a good metaphor?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">I wanted to use this blog as a way to highlight an example of metaphor that I truly love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is from a song called “Stereo Hearts” by Gym Class Heroes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is a prime example of metaphor used effectively and in a fresh and new way. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The choice of metaphors in these lyrics truly captures the feelings or images that the writer is trying to convey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These artists do a great job grounding the feeling into something understandable and relatable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AND, it has a great beat too!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Take a second to look up the lyrics and visualize the metaphors as you read. Type in "Stereo Heart lyrics by Gym Class Heroes" in a search engine, and that should take you to the lyrics.<br />
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Well, what do you think? <span style="line-height: 115%;">The writers could have easily said “my heart is a drum”, but instead, they use a metaphor that is creative and relatable to any musician or music lover: a stereo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though rap music is not children’s literature (obviously) I think that any writer can learn from these lyrics and their wonderful use of metaphors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remembering to be creative, whimsical, and fresh without losing the grounded feel of a metaphor is, in my opinion, the best way to use metaphors well.</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><strong> </strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><strong> <span style="color: blue;">What’s your favorite song that effectively uses metaphor?</span></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">If you want to hear the song, check it out on youtube: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3E9Wjbq44E">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3E9Wjbq44E</a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4C44GLfuyCPwmHQ72e7aWLygaXRf30yMAjRQsAOMP2zabMj1W9u_JurzB9BNmqSxte2mxCATgLSmmt_VVcUWHxRLZgXhWOBRuFzPW_eY_RCUBZN4CiEy0EOiJGu453cbsDoR7j-vDTs/s1600/Gym+Class+Heroes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4C44GLfuyCPwmHQ72e7aWLygaXRf30yMAjRQsAOMP2zabMj1W9u_JurzB9BNmqSxte2mxCATgLSmmt_VVcUWHxRLZgXhWOBRuFzPW_eY_RCUBZN4CiEy0EOiJGu453cbsDoR7j-vDTs/s1600/Gym+Class+Heroes.jpg" /></a></div>JaNayBWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17019536981183646518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929797194836795826.post-36096316272264779172012-01-26T09:27:00.000-08:002012-01-26T09:27:38.335-08:00Great Starts to a New YearTwo bits of happy, happy news.<br />
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<strong>News #1:</strong><br />
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I had the chance to interview the fabulous Marsha Diane Arnold, author of <em>Heart of a Tiger</em>, <em>Roar of a Snore</em>, and many more! Her interview is informational and quite entertaining, and you can find it on my "Points from the Published" tab above. She is the second interview I have done, and I am excited to include her on my blog.<br />
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Thanks again Marsha Diane Arnold for the interview!<br />
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<strong>Now for News #2</strong><br />
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So...remember how I sent out a bunch of manuscripts out in November? Well, I got my first response back yesterday! It was from U.S. Kids Magazine an Award Winning Magazine that publishes <em>Turtle</em> (for ages 3-5)<em>, Humpty Dumpty </em>(for ages 5-7)<em>, </em>and <em>Jack and Jill </em>(for ages 6-7)<em>. </em><br />
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Of course seeing that yellow manila folder always gets my heart going. Anyway, the letter said that "after careful consideration" they decided to hold on to one of my poems for possible publication. Of course, that's not a promise to publish, but it isn't a no either. Thus, this is certainly a success. They liked it well enough to hold on to it--YAAY! Hopefully they'll be contacting me soon with a definite "YES WE'LL PUBLISH IT!" <br />
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I guess my mailbox isn't so awful all of the time.<br />
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I have to say, though, for the first publisher response of the year, this is a <strong>GREAT START</strong>! Hopefully the responses that follow will hold more yeses for me.<br />
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You can check out the U.S. Kids website at <a href="http://www.uskidsmags.com/">http://www.uskidsmags.com/</a>. Who knows, maybe soon enough you'll see a poem by "JaNay Brown" on their website (here's hoping)!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Moving and Shaking in 2012! </strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: cyan;"><em>Keep on swimming!</em></span></strong></div>JaNayBWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17019536981183646518noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929797194836795826.post-32941890837576042872012-01-22T21:11:00.000-08:002012-01-22T21:23:07.935-08:00Revisiting "Old Masters"<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My little sister called me earlier this week and asked me which Brothers Grimm stories were my favorite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is currently taking a mythology class in college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I consider myself to be somewhat well-read in children’s literature, at least when it comes to picture books and stories for young listeners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when my sister asked me that, I drew a complete blank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDIAjLNLdMCWXbTEmvGPemeoA_9WVoF53hIIk0HQV6JkGr5rjcOquJK3nvty_WCj7pMfd7RfG1lnPdp3b32J7m0nv-D3YwlbqgxdECKUpoykNRKWUIhHB_T29XuctQTyatvK_yc9Z9SA/s1600/Brothers+Grimm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDIAjLNLdMCWXbTEmvGPemeoA_9WVoF53hIIk0HQV6JkGr5rjcOquJK3nvty_WCj7pMfd7RfG1lnPdp3b32J7m0nv-D3YwlbqgxdECKUpoykNRKWUIhHB_T29XuctQTyatvK_yc9Z9SA/s200/Brothers+Grimm.jpg" width="184" /></a><em></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em>“Brothers Grimm,”</em> I thought.<em> “Brothers Grimm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which ones were those? Did they write Cinderella and Snow White?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, I think that was Hans Christian Andersen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hmmm, which stories belonged to the Brothers Grimm?”</em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Still, complete blank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing I could think of was a movie by the same name, starring Matt Damon and Heath Ledger; a movie that I haven’t even seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">In other words: <strong>Fail</strong>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqemMOySDgzUEWf_hZrm_ydeEX6hPkrzvDLlwBRMp9exVlIDI-2kZttwzpzysyNxdK76oLOfkfqwVOLMvVzppOzcg9yUHWJd6_Diu0_WFajTXEwq7V2YaC8H4VTh01F6G63DI0th2to64/s1600/IMAG0564%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqemMOySDgzUEWf_hZrm_ydeEX6hPkrzvDLlwBRMp9exVlIDI-2kZttwzpzysyNxdK76oLOfkfqwVOLMvVzppOzcg9yUHWJd6_Diu0_WFajTXEwq7V2YaC8H4VTh01F6G63DI0th2to64/s200/IMAG0564%255B1%255D.jpg" width="171" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Luckily, when I first began this children’s book journey a few years back, my dad gave me three treasuries of children’s literature including 1) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anthology of Children’s Literature</i>, 2) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Treasury of Hans Christian Andersen</i>, 3) <em>The</em> <em>Norton Anthology of Children's Literature, </em>and last but not least 4) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Grimm’s Complete Fairytales</i>.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>I had asked him for these books in order to read up on classic stories for children that have prevailed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What better way to truly become immersed in children’s literature than to read the “Old Masters.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just by skimming through the table of contents, I was able to see The Grimm brothers wrote stories including “Cinderella” (not Hans Christian Anderson),“Rapunzel” and “Sleeping Beauty” just to name a few.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Obviously, I’m not as well-read as I thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus, I’ve given myself a new task: <u>read up on the folktales, fables, and fairytales of the past as a way to study storytelling</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That way, the next time I’m asked about the past greats, I’ll have a much more informed answer.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Thank you, little sis, for the reminder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back to the books!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyVB4aiG0NXlGUv0mc2NJ960Leu_eEawqIjFnHPzHJoVIBViriN2Nj2SNgPBX6WEOOOz3q-2pU1sh1wG9ivYxtSSUDr-nDjKtusf5UlBcEMs4_NX0TX_xz5XJJ91YS-zl-wEJO7Z-U00/s1600/fairytale.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyVB4aiG0NXlGUv0mc2NJ960Leu_eEawqIjFnHPzHJoVIBViriN2Nj2SNgPBX6WEOOOz3q-2pU1sh1wG9ivYxtSSUDr-nDjKtusf5UlBcEMs4_NX0TX_xz5XJJ91YS-zl-wEJO7Z-U00/s1600/fairytale.png" /></a></div>JaNayBWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17019536981183646518noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929797194836795826.post-63803663231942089022012-01-14T22:23:00.000-08:002012-01-15T09:33:19.876-08:00A Little More on Series<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Interestingly enough, shortly after I wrote about my questions about series (check out my December 9th blog titled <em>Seriously? A Series)</em>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Children’s Writer</i>, which is a monthly newsletter sent to inform writers about what is going on in the children’s publishing market published an article that covered the very topic I was discussing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s titled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The More the Merrier: Fiction, Nonficiton, & Magazine Series</i> by Katherine Swarts (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Children’s Writer, </i>January, 2012).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">From the article, I learned a few things about series that I thought I would mention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Swarts confirms the avid marketability of a good series, but she also says that new “unproven authors” should be reluctant to introduce a story to an editor as a series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, she believes that the new author should just write a really good story (with an interesting character/s) and let the work, do the “series work” for itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, if the story is good enough, and sells well, then it may be the editor who is asking the author to continue the story into a series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Furthermore, based on some advice from editors discussed in the article, it doesn’t seem as if editors are eager to sign up for a series without the success of a first book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BUT, as an author gains a bigger reputation, the idea of pitching a series to an editor early may become more likely to pay off once the author has established a track record of being a good (successful and sellable) writer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I certainly thought this was informative, and I will definitely keep my ears and eyes open about more information regarding series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What do you think about series?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pitch them early on, or wait them out?</span></div>JaNayBWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17019536981183646518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929797194836795826.post-73152215058899793232012-01-08T19:48:00.000-08:002012-01-14T22:23:45.744-08:00Book Store Study Sessions<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">I have read in several "writing for children" books that one of the best things you can do in order to improve your craft is by reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Of course!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s not brain surgery!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOE72GvZ4VzyMxfDzIDaS9LzAX1sVF0NfGWpRoRwWuu4iNLyFqR8Jn6hhVswRfF1aDFBWX_RlIn2h0IDq4uwwk1VG4elOY5QOo8heQdMVZtX_zM1XC8Wm358ME4zvaMVVwLBYj1DL5LA/s1600/Pile+of+books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOE72GvZ4VzyMxfDzIDaS9LzAX1sVF0NfGWpRoRwWuu4iNLyFqR8Jn6hhVswRfF1aDFBWX_RlIn2h0IDq4uwwk1VG4elOY5QOo8heQdMVZtX_zM1XC8Wm358ME4zvaMVVwLBYj1DL5LA/s1600/Pile+of+books.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So, one of the things<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoy doing is heading over to my local bookstore, usually B & N, and surrounding myself with books, books, and more books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I go to the bookstore, I walk around and grab picture books that I want to read, stack them in my arms (usually 6-15 books per visit), then find a comfy spot and begin my research.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">During my bookstore reading sessions, there are four things that I look for when I am deciding which picture books to pull out and scour.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong>4 Things I Look For When Selecting Picture Books To Study</strong></div><ol><li><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Caldecott Medal or Honor Winners</div></div></li>
<li><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Titles or covers that catch my eye</div></div></li>
<li><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: left;">Favorite authors or illustrators</div></li>
<li><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Current popular books</div></div></li>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Caldecott Winners </b> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsbeXp1uxrMOZ022UnKDsJnEJVQOplYYnKPAVYLLwfWHRvEX7LKqYiT3e-G6ihv2VWGH6rmJTyoQb-lEj9Wp2KTusGUgmELoZaaejYjg08TeO6yEeTiwnU7dylrUokWHtWlyC7KcOB-g/s1600/Caldecott+Winner+Medal.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsbeXp1uxrMOZ022UnKDsJnEJVQOplYYnKPAVYLLwfWHRvEX7LKqYiT3e-G6ihv2VWGH6rmJTyoQb-lEj9Wp2KTusGUgmELoZaaejYjg08TeO6yEeTiwnU7dylrUokWHtWlyC7KcOB-g/s1600/Caldecott+Winner+Medal.bmp" /></a>The Caldecott Medal and Honor Medal are annual awards given by the Association for Library Services to children’s books with excellent artwork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These medals are extremely prestigious and are awarded to books with high artistic quality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have ever seen the golden (for winner) or silver (for honor) medal stickers on a picture book, that book has been deemed a Caldecott Winner or Honor book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When at the bookstore, I like to pick these out because of their award-winning status.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my opinion, in order to have gained a Caldecott, the artwork must have been creative and noteworthy; furthermore, the words from the author must have truly inspired the beautiful artwork in the illustration, who was able to materialize it into a mesmerizing children’s book (for examples of beautiful artwork, check out David Weisner’s work, or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The House in the Night</i> by Susan Marie Swanson, illustrated by Beth Krommes).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I select these books and study the words and pictures to get a good idea of what award-winning work looks like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, I think about how my own work compares.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">If you’d like more information about Caldecott Medals, or an entire list of Winners and Honorees dating back all the way to 1938, check out the website:<br />
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<a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecottmedal">http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecottmedal</a>. </div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eye-Catching Titles and Covers</b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I like to run my eyes over the shelves to see if anything seems interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pictures and titles that intrigue me usually make it into my stack of books to read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This gives me a chance to go off of my own instinct, and read things that sound interesting to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within this group may be books that I realize, upon reading, that I don’t like at all, or books that become one of my new favorites (read my posting on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Interrupting Chicken</i> by David Ezra Stein on my “Books I love” page for an example of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s also a Caldecott Honor Book.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, even if I don’t like a book that I select, I read it and analyze why it didn’t work for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like using “unlikeable books” as learning tools for improving my own storytelling and writing skills.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Favorite Authors and Illustrators</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzreddl9p56AqBrc7cI9BmZOrsJNFuVg0PO60FyYQgmyQ3jGnlf0-ZoeyD5bk82rbZkNlJau-f7n_gLQgDgvhhEBSbUKjadOaOtxEXJh8CmuS42oCcPrDD6Zn55HPVrxlhMWJtr2DOYy4/s1600/Mo+Willems.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzreddl9p56AqBrc7cI9BmZOrsJNFuVg0PO60FyYQgmyQ3jGnlf0-ZoeyD5bk82rbZkNlJau-f7n_gLQgDgvhhEBSbUKjadOaOtxEXJh8CmuS42oCcPrDD6Zn55HPVrxlhMWJtr2DOYy4/s1600/Mo+Willems.jpg" /></a>In addition to Caldecotts and eye-catching books, I also like to grab a few newly released books from favorite authors and illustrators of mine. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like to look at their books in order to scrutinize the range of their stories and characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I especially like looking at different books within series that my favorite authors create.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pay close attention to how even though my favorite authors write about different characters or plotlines, their voices still shine through consistently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that I’ll be able to master that skill too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A great example of one of my favorites is the great Mo Willems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a huge fan of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Knuffle Bunny</i> One, Too, and Free, I adore Pigeon and all of his adventures, I enjoy Elephant & Piggie, and just recently I met Amanda and Alligator and am a fan of them now two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mo Willems has a great website if you are interested: <a href="http://www.mowillems.com/">http://www.mowillems.com/</a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Popular Books</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Last but not least, I like to look at popular books because of course, every author thinks about how to find characters and stories that are marketable and interesting to young readers and their families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually, bookstores have many of their “bestsellers” in one easily accessible section.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now, you’d probably see Splat the Cat, Llama Llama, Bad Kitty, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No David,</i> Jane Yolen and Mark Teague’s “How Do Dinosaurs...”, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>and the loveable Charlie & Lola, to list a few.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it’s good to see what children are interested in today as a gage for where my own work may fit in.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhP2eT3hhz30JeBiim0lyAxcgadgcnVO8wAKZ1w7g9PJ6C9Zz7vDVUT4E4_nfot3MnZXP8y_D6SOlBXT5ouE6coMV1LkZnX0YwwqlYv7odVtL9rlX380bGCrvYZcQX3vhTUdJMV0VGPg/s1600/Bookstore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhP2eT3hhz30JeBiim0lyAxcgadgcnVO8wAKZ1w7g9PJ6C9Zz7vDVUT4E4_nfot3MnZXP8y_D6SOlBXT5ouE6coMV1LkZnX0YwwqlYv7odVtL9rlX380bGCrvYZcQX3vhTUdJMV0VGPg/s1600/Bookstore.jpg" /></a>Now, in addition to all of this, bookstore reading sessions are all around fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These bookstore visits give me a chance to be away from the hubbub of my regular day, and allows me the chance to read engaging and fun books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AND, I get a chance to see children and their families reading books, talking about<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>books, as well as playing with the usual train toy set that I always see at B & N.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additionally, I get the chance to hear the entertaining conversations that children have with each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These visits often end up causing instant inspiration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily, I bring my trusty notebook along each time I do bookstore reading sessions just in case a poem or story pop into my head.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So, if you are having a hard time thinking of what to write, try visiting your local bookstore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It works for me.</div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>JaNayBWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17019536981183646518noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929797194836795826.post-23841764333090128742012-01-05T21:20:00.000-08:002012-01-05T21:20:27.738-08:00Mailbox Woes<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">I have come to despise my mailbox.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">I tried not to take it personal, but, I have been unsuccessful in that attempt. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mailbox, how I loathe you.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Some days, it gets pretty bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think about it while I exercise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think about it when I’m at work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I call my fiancé, who gets home before I do, and ask “Did you check the mail today?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tells me that if I don’t think about it all the time—or check it each hour of the day (Every. Single. Day).—that it’ll make my response come quicker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should take his advice. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">But each time I check: Nothing!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">And so, I blame my mailbox for the horrid delay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My insignificant mailbox; the one with the tiny metal door and a number inscribed onto it; the one with many neighboring mailboxes beside it, above it, below it; the one that only opens when I slip the mini golden key into the slot, and turn. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Nothing.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Oh mailbox, why is that every time I look inside you, there is no envelope for me containing the news I so long to hear?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What have I ever done to you? </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">41 days down and who knows how many to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But who’s counting?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not me. If my mailbox could count, it probably would; and taunt me with the number like a playground bully: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">nah nah nah nah, naaaah naaah!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UKGH9p0AJBE/TwaD69Wv-vI/AAAAAAAAAEM/BzXmgyqobHo/s1600/mailbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UKGH9p0AJBE/TwaD69Wv-vI/AAAAAAAAAEM/BzXmgyqobHo/s1600/mailbox.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">But on the bright side, at least no word isn’t the same as “no thank you.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patience is definitely a virtue. <stroke joinstyle="miter"></stroke><formulas><f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></f><f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></f><f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></f><f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></f><f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></f></formulas><path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"></path><lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></lock><shape id="_x0000_s1027" style="height: 180pt; margin-left: 376.5pt; margin-top: 561.9pt; mso-height-relative: page; mso-position-horizontal-relative: text; mso-position-vertical-relative: text; mso-width-relative: page; position: absolute; width: 138pt; z-index: 251658240;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:title="MC900078801[1]" src="file:///C:\Users\NAYBAH~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.wmz"></imagedata></shape></div>JaNayBWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17019536981183646518noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929797194836795826.post-9546946178741965362012-01-01T11:50:00.000-08:002012-01-01T11:55:49.958-08:00Welcome, Twenty-Twelve<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">2011 has passed, and 2012 is here.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: purple; color: white; font-size: x-large;"><em>HAPPY NEW YEAR!</em></span><em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2d7rRsYHC6A/TwCzNPQ249I/AAAAAAAAAD0/RrHY37OvaxI/s1600/Journey+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; height: 342px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 215px;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2d7rRsYHC6A/TwCzNPQ249I/AAAAAAAAAD0/RrHY37OvaxI/s320/Journey+2.png" width="214" /></a>I am excited to see what this year will bring.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">For my first blog of the year, I thought I’d do a little reflecting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s important for me to look back at my path so I can think of where I’ve been, while keeping in mind the great distance that I still have to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am learning that, with all the rejection and all the time it takes to move forward in this industry, sometimes it feels easier to slip into the negative and give up the hopes of ever publishing a book at all—but of course, I won’t let <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> happen!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus, by reflecting and internalizing the fact that this is how it goes, and that all the “no’s” get me that much closer to the “yes’s”, it helps me to keep pushing on down that path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, overall, I would say that 2011 was a positive year for my writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><u>JaNayB’s 2011 Writing Landmarks (</u></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><u><em>Along her Path to Publishing</em>):</u></span></strong></div><ul style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">I edited and finished two manuscripts that I have been working on for quite some time, and sent them out feeling really good about them (let ‘em sing!).</div></div></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">I started a new poetry project with one of my fellow critique group members, Rosi Hollinbeck, and am eager to see how it pans out.</div></div></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">I have read, and am in the process of reading, more books about the craft of writing (and more!).</div></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">I attended several workshops, classes, and events about writing, ultimately expanding my own talent and writing community.</div></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">I began learning more about the artistic side of picture books.</div></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">And of course, I sold two poems to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Highlights for Kids—</i>which has certainly been the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">highlight</i> (clichéd, I know, but “highlight” surely encapsulates how I feel about that accomplishment) of 2011 for me and my writing.</div></li>
</ul><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UmjN5G9XGVk/TwC3IvilBUI/AAAAAAAAAEA/OzeinG65InI/s1600/bullseye.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; height: 222px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 199px;"><img border="0" height="200" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UmjN5G9XGVk/TwC3IvilBUI/AAAAAAAAAEA/OzeinG65InI/s200/bullseye.png" width="198" /><br />
<em>Keeping my goal in Mind</em></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">Working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Toward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Publishing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Definitely. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A. Slow. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, I am learning to embrace the process and beginning to appreciate the motion of what it takes to get there, whether “there” be a finished poem, an edited and completed manuscript, or a ultimately a publication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like the words of India Arie’s song <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Beautiful Day</i> “Life is a journey, not a destination/ There are no mistakes, just chances we’ve taken”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I look forward to 2012 as another year that will mark more and bigger milestones on my path to publishing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AND, once it does happen, it’ll make it all feel that much sweeter!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The year is new, but the journey continues!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">ONWARD!!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>JaNayBWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17019536981183646518noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929797194836795826.post-42468779828994725052011-12-24T22:24:00.000-08:002012-01-02T22:42:02.706-08:00A Christmas That I Knew & A Christmas Anew<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N6q9ZQTYeD8/Tva-xVUMW9I/AAAAAAAAADE/IEoFbtKJJjg/s1600/IMAG0534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N6q9ZQTYeD8/Tva-xVUMW9I/AAAAAAAAADE/IEoFbtKJJjg/s400/IMAG0534.jpg" width="162" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlie our Christmas Tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Picture this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vince Guaraldi’s “Linus and Lucy” playing in the background <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">dun nuh nuh duh nuh nuh, duh-nuh</i>; the smell of Nestle Toll House cookies (with extra walnuts) wafting through the air; the chilly still morning out the front window; the fireplace crackling, small sparks of bright orange jumping from wooden logs; bits of wrapping paper and over turned stockings lining the floor; and five smiling people curled up on the sofas: 1 daddy and 1 mommy, both drinking coffee from large mugs, and 3 girls in matching red and green flannel pajamas, each with a plate full of different cookies (peppermint snowballs topped with powder sugar, bendable almond lace cookies edged with dark chocolate, and coconut bon bons with a large almond on the top); laughter mixing in with the jolly piano tunes; and warmth filling the medium sized living room, not just from the fireplace, but from the feelings of family and love surrounding them all.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">This has always been my Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">This scene was usually followed by a day of movies that we received as gifts, a nap, family games like Apples to Apples or Scrabble, and of course a delicious meal my mother prepared impeccably, including a brown sugar ham, greens and ham hocks, mashed potatoes, homemade baked macaroni and cheese, and butter smothered buns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">I thought I’d use this blog post to reflect on the childhood Christmas that I knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The late night chats my sisters and I would have early on Christmas morning before my parents allowed us to get up and open presents, the three of us packed inside a small room on cots, inflatable beds, or on the only bed in that room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The compilation of holiday movies my mom recorded on a VHS when we were very young, the one we memorized and called “The Long Charlie Brown” which included not only holiday greats like “A Claymation Christmas”, “Frosty the Snowman”, “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”, and “Garfield’s Christmas”, but also old, OLD commercials like the red-head pretending to skate in a “world wide championship” as she enjoyed a York Peppermint Patty, or the Doublemint twins riding on a bicycle while a song sings “that cool refreshing feeling of Wrigley’s Spearmint gum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Puts a sparkle in your eye, a spring in your step, and makes things lots of fun!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or the anticipation of tasting cookies from new recipes I found, which usually led to me making so many cookies, that we could never finish them all!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Although this has always been my Christmas, I knew that change was bound to happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People grow up and move away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Traditions shift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Families change (grow or shrink). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But even though I knew change would come, it didn’t make the transition any easier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">As an adult, Christmas definitely feels different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it’s bittersweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today I said farewell to my childhood Christmas, and hello to a new chapter in my own book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first Christmas away from my family, but my first Christmas shared with my new family, the family of my wonderful fiancé.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so, I welcome the change that follows, but I keep the warmth of my past Christmases in my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I hope that as I build new and memorable traditions, I will be able to capture the true happiness I felt as a child each year when Christmas came, capture it in my poems and stories, so that these feelings of happiness and joy will be forever held for others to share, and for me to look back at and reminisce.</div>JaNayBWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17019536981183646518noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8929797194836795826.post-777080537177270652011-12-20T10:34:00.000-08:002011-12-20T10:34:11.152-08:00Puzzle of Poetry<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Puzzle of Poetry</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">by JaNay Brown</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Picking perfect pieces </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">To portray a poignant point.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Pulling, tugging, stretching words</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Forcing feeling. Force a fit.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Turning words over and over</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Grasping blindly for a feel.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Is it flat? <s></s></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Does it flow like summer rivers,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Or fall down like autumn leaves?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Does it spring from fruitless pages,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Or sting cold like winter’s breeze?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Does it fit? <s></s></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Dragging desperate details</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Into dumb deflated deals.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Smashing, thrashing, pushing phrases</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Play on words. Pray for poem.</div>JaNayBWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17019536981183646518noreply@blogger.com3