Have you ever noticed a common thread emerging in the stories you write for children? Take a look at what you're writing. Is there a pattern surfacing? A common theme?
Well, several months ago, I was looking at the body of my works-in-progress and I said, "Holy cow!" The majority of the stories I write revolve around the themes of family and relationships. Wow! I hadn't stopped to think about this before. But the more and more I thought about it, I realized, why, of course. Family and relationships have been the fabric of my life.
The backbone to who I am.
Where I come from.
And what's important to me.
So it only makes sense that it should appear in the stories I write for children -- from picture books to middle grade novels.
I Can Swing and I Can Run are two of the newest picture/board books I've written for young readers about two friends who share their escalating imagination whether they're swinging high or running fast.
In Grandpa's Girl, it's the story about a girl and her grandpa and their unconditional love and memories that transcend long after his life ends. He lives on in her. And my grandmother lives on in me.
My brother and I in 2008
Geraldine June Acts Out spilled out of me in relation to my brother and sister relationship and yet it's entirely different from my childhood. There are pieces of me and my brother woven into the fabric of that story, but it's the characters Geraldine June and her brother Bo who tell the real story. Their story.
The above are just a few examples in my work. What are some of yours? Have you stopped and studied your works-in-progress or published books? Do you know what you like to write about? The stories you want to tell? And are there common threads floating to the surface? It doesn't necessarily mean you'll continue in this pattern, but it might give you a clue to uncovering the "real" story when you vomit up that first draft or re-envision the story. What is it that you're trying to say? What's inside of you? I know it's helped me to know what kinds of stories I gravitate toward.
Something to think about on a lazy, cloudy day. On a day where you're in between drafts.
In celebration of poetry month, I've contributed to the wonderful ReaderKidz this month. If you haven't visited ReaderKidz before it's an absolute must!! I'm lucky to be a contributor but the real credit goes to the authors Debbie Gonzales, Dianne White, Stephanie Greene, and Nancy Bo Flood who came up with the idea to build a website aimed at fostering a love of reading for the K-5 crowd. Each month they have author interviews, activities to extend the reading experience with your favorite books, book reviews and so much more.
Today, I've posted a review on two amazing books. Click HERE to see the reviews on Emily and Carlo by Marty Rhodes Figley, illustrated by Catherine Stock (Charlesbridge, 2012) and Under the Mambo Moon by Julia Durango, illustrated by Fabricio VandenBroeck (Charlesbridge, 2011).
As I've mentioned before, I navigate to books on bears. Not just because I'm writing the biography of Simon Jackson and his fight to save the spirit bears (tentative title, A Voice for the Spirit Bear: The Simon Jackson Story) but because what's not to love about a bear. They're majestic and fearless and powerful. Their stealth-like qualities make them at the top of the food chain, and they're fiercely protective of their young. I think of them as survivors. Especially considering the challenges they face as people move into their territory and the world warms up! Are they capable of beating the odds? I like to think so and so...
I was thrilled when I discovered Waiting For Ice by Sandra Markle, illustrated by Alan Marks (Charlesbridge, 2012) and how one polar bear cub faces adversity head on, to survive without a mother or her training in a world where only the strongest survive. It is based on a true story of a polar bear named Tuff, whom researcher Dr. Nikita Ovsyanikov first spotted in October 2002 while studying bears on Wrangel Island. The story is breathtakingly told by Markle with just the right amount of details. The tension and pacing-- picture perfect! And rich realistic watercolor-and-pencil illustrations by Marks. To get a glimpse into the story behind the story visit Markle's blog WRITE ON! by clicking HERE!
And in celebration of Mother Earth and yesterday's Earth Day I enjoyed reading A Warmer World by Caroline Arnold, illustrated by Jamie Hogan (Charlesbridge, 2012). In straightforward and clear text, it's the perfect book to read to find out how climate change affects wildlife. To read an interview with the author visit Charlesbridge's website by clicking HERE.
One final note, today is World Book Night, and our Austin SCBWI chapter was thrilled to help get books into the hands of readers young and old. See pictures of RA Debbie Gonzales and myself delivering books in this recap by Debbie. Click HERE. I hope everyone will be reading today!!
Life can turn on a dime. Or if you're a hen living in a coop, life can turn when your egg hatches. And this week my egg that I'd been sitting on for so long, finally hatched! I'm happy to announce that the enormously talented Erzsi Deàk, founder of Hen & ink, A Literary Studio is my agent!!! To learn more about her, click HERE. And the other chicks represented by Hen & Ink!
Okay, here's the coop. I mean scoop. The thing I'm going to stress here is never. Ever. Give up. Erzsi and I had been corresponding since early fall of 2011. Yes, for over six months. Her original response was very positive but left me knowing I still had work to do. She didn't say no, but she didn't say yes. So it was time for me to push back my feathers and get back to work.
Over the next six months, I worked on one of the manuscripts over and over and over again. I felt it was the one holding me back. And I was right. Something kept needling me. Or rather several things. After I sat down and had a one-on-one critique with editor Diane Muldrow at Random House/Golden Books at our Austin SCBWI Conference, I knew what the problem was. She said there wasn't a lot to critique. She liked how I didn't overwrite. She liked my style and language. The 3 act structure was in place. The character arc in the story worked nicely. But she wasn't exactly connecting with the main character.
Hold everything. That's HUGE!
In a character-driven picture book if you can't get your audience to connect with your character than you might as well close up shop and head back to the farm.
So I began to listen even more intently. She told me that the MC's voice was a bit too close to the narrator's. A little too much telling was occurring. There were a few spots where the MC didn't sound like a child. Was I ending the story in the right place? And did the secondary character need more space in the story?
There was plenty to critique wasn't there. Now, here's the thing. You have to sort through all of that good information and decide what resonates with you, the writer. I knew the character I wanted wasn't emerging the way I wanted her to. She needed more distinct dialog. Her personality needed to shine through. More showing had to occur. But I also knew that the secondary character didn't need any more space. IF -- a big IF -- I could fix the other things.
So I revised. Then I sent it back to Erzsi. Months went by. And I was working on it again. Because it still wasn't quite right. So I revised again. And this time, it worked! She LOVED the changes I'd made and offered me representation. Which I was honored to accept.
And I want to let everyone know that during this time, I was beginning to doubt myself and my ability to write for children. I thought what if I'm just not good enough to get there. What if I'll always be at the mediocre level? Not bad writing. But not what children deserve. Well I banished the grumblings to the outer areas of my mind because I wasn't ready to throw in the towel. I knew I could do this. God hadn't brought me this far and given me skills as a writer to fail. So I picked up my pencil and made the chicken scratching on my manuscript that opened the door to Hen & ink.
I remember reading a similar experience by Tamika Fryer Brown on Cynthia Leitich Smith's blog Cynsations when she interviewed her about her first picture book Around Our Way on Neighbors' Day illustrated by Charlotte Riley-Webb (Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2010). She'd almost thrown in the towel and walked away from writing. But she didn't. She pushed through. And aren't we all glad she did! If you want to read the interview between Cynthia and Tameka, click HERE. It's fabulous!
So I guess what I'm saying is that you can't give up. No matter how tough it gets. No matter how many times you have to revise. The revising is what helps you to get to know your character. Revision for me is chatting with my character. And I also want to say that you can't do it alone. You need people that support you. Who believe in you. Especially when the days come that you don't believe in yourself. They're fleeting. But they still come. So lean on your critique partners. And ask your writing community for advice. And learn to trust yourself and your character. And then celebrate when that agent comes knocking. Or in my case crowing.
Another Austin SCBWI conference has come and gone and the inspiration and motivation are burning through my veins! As the ARA for the Austin SCBWI chapter, I saw the results of many months of hard work pay off and that in itself is one of the greatest rewards. Seeing the sheer joy on attendees' faces and the positive comments about how this year's conference "Something for Everyone," delivered what it promised.
None of this would've been possible if it hadn't been for the extraordinary vision of RA Debbie Gonzales and wanting to develop a conference that provided programming for every level of author and illustrator no matter where they were in their career: newbie, pre-published or published. And she exceeded all expectations with the help of many volunteers including the wonderful folks at St. Edward's University. Heartfelt thanks to Sister Donna Jurick, Dr. Ramsey Fowler, PhD and Rebecca Rodriguez who make it possible to hold our conference on their breathtaking campus.
A HUGE thanks to all the Austin SCBWI conference drivers, technology support team and faculty who shadowed, introduced and made sure our out-of-town guests had everything they needed to ensure there were no bumpy seas during their visit in Austin. It truly takes a village when you have 12 out of town editors, agents and authors flying in from around the country.
A special thank you to the many Austin SCBWI members who contributed to our silent auction. It's because of you and your generosity that our community continues to grow and blossom. We're lucky to have you!
Before I get to the wonderful recap of blog posts being shared around the kid-lit community, I want to acknowledge our wonderful award winners. Shelli Cornellison is the recipient of the Meredith Davis Volunteer of the Year award, Jeff Crosby is the winner of the portfolio contest and Cynthia Leitich Smith and Greg Leitich Smith are our Ambassadors for the Austin Kid-Lit Community. There are no two people more generous and giving of their time and talent as this dynamic duo. They are the reason we have a village of talent in Austin.
One final thank you to the wonderful esteemed out-of-town faculty that endured travel delays and missed flights and traffic gridlock to be at our conference. Your presentations on craft, experience and marketing led people to cheers and tears with your inspiring messages.
And more personally thank you to editors Bonnie Bader Penguin Young Readers Group (Grosset and Dunlap and Price Stern Sloan) and Diane Muldrow Random House/Golden Books and publicist Kirsten Cappy, Curious City for my wonderful critiques!
Thank you Austin SCBWI community you rock!!
video slideshow of Austin SCBWI 2012 Conference
BLOG POST RECAPS:
New York Times & Publishers Weekly bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith's "Event Report: Austin SCBWI Regional Conference" can be found by clicking here. Note: Cyn's latest novel Diabolical (book 4 in the TANTALIZE series) is now available in stores now!
And Greg Leitich Smith's report "Austin SCBWI Regional Conference" by clicking here. Note: Greg's next novel Chronal Engine is available on March 20th, 2012 by Clarion Books (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
Award winning author and faculty member Lisa Yee blogged about her adventure with us here. She also read an excerpt on Friday evening at the conference from her novel Warp Speed (Arthur A. Levine Books, 2011).
Author Nikki Loftin shares pictures and insight here. Her debut novel The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy is available on Aug 21, 2012 by Razorbill Penguin Group (USA).
Author/Illustrator Salima Alikhan highlights Donna Jo Napoli's presentation on her post "Austin Regional Conference 2012 (Why Donna Jo Napoli is Amazing)" here.
Author Samantha Clark highlights the advice that spoke to her here. There truly is much to be gained by attending SCBWI conferences and Sam says that so eloquently in her post.
When I picked up the only copy of Little Dog Lost: The True Story of a Brave Dog Named Baltic by Monica Carnesi (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2012) from BookPeople, I knew I was in for a real treat.
For one, the cover is inviting, inquisitive and yet peaceful. I particularly like the pale blue sky teamed with the deep rich blue of the sea and then there's Baltic afloat on an ice floe almost asking you if you want to hear his story. Yes! Yes, I do, I almost shouted in the store as I stood by the shelf and read the book from cover to cover.
"What an adventure!" is listed on the jacketflap inside the book and I couldn't agree more. And Carnesi does a magnificent job of weaving just the right amount of details on each and every page to tell this heart warming story of a little dog stuck on an ice floe on the Vistula River drifting out to sea and the heroic efforts taken to try and save him. It truly is a journey worth taking!
To hear more about how Monica Carnesi was inspired to write and illustrate this picture book click here to visit her blog. There you'll also see real life photographs of Baltic along with a YOUTUBE video capturing the daring rescue.
Also here's an excerpt from a review that appeared in the January edition of Horn Book.
"...Simple yet dramatic watercolor illustrations effectively convey the wintry setting; the ice-choked, freezing water; and Dog’s emotions, bewildered and forlorn on the ice, cheerful and contented after his rescue and adoption..."
A book your children will continue to enjoy again and again. And a wonderful story to study for pacing and page turns.
Time to reorder Little Lost Dog, BookPeople! Maybe, I'll give them a gentle reminder when I visit to pick up the books I ordered.
