Writing On My Mind

I hadn't realized it has been so long since I posted here. I post often at my science blog, but have peaks and valleys here. Did you miss me? Or were you thinking that it is like an old friend who calls infrequently, but who you can pick up with like no time has passed. That is how I feel about all of you. 

I tell distant friends and relatives that I may not write super often, but they are on my mind. Actually, that mirrors my writing. I may not turn out a new manuscript often, but it is on my mind A LOT. I read other writers' wisdom, talk with writers, draw, color, photograph, and perform additional creative activities, but then don't regularly bring it back here. Hmm...Not sure if I should be concerned. 

Oh well, it is the start of a new school year and time to focus on the young ones who read our work. Slow down (especially in school zones) and remember why you started writing in the first place. -Q

It's nearly Picture Book Idea Month time! Wahoo!

Do you ever have so many new ideas that you think your head will explode? I don't either...usually. 

That all changed after attending a non-fiction NF4NF workshop for children's writers offered by Pat Miller in September. Now ideas are stampeding like mustangs before a storm. I just need to wrangle the herd and pick one (or three). 

How will I do it? I plan to participate again in PiBoIdMo 2015, an online writing event established by children's author Tara Lazar. (Check out her latest book, Little Red Gliding Hood to be released October 27th.) 

PiBoIdMo is pure writing magic. Every morning in November, no exceptions, I shuffle out of my bedroom in fuzzy bathrobe and slippers with my favorite pen and idea notebook. (See photo) and settle in for an hour before I have to get ready for my day job. With the creative gates open, ideas trot in from the ether. (The first year I participated I was skeptical, but now I KNOW it works.)

Anyway, for those who are stuck for new ideas or have always wanted to write children's books, this is the perfect kickoff to success. 

-Q

Creative Marinating

It's true, I've been doing a lot of creative cross-training with my photography for the past few months. Interspersed with non-fiction deadlines, real estate chaos, and family ups and downs, my children's writing ethic has been on vacation for a while.

But now that school is starting, I have a workshop to attend and an author's event coming up. Plus I owe my critique group something wonderful, which I have yet to write. 

I need to quit marinating and get ideas on paper. I have a couple of projects in mind, but I need to give myself a deadline. I never miss actual (publishing) deadlines. Perhaps before this year's November Picture Book Idea Month (PiBoIdMo), I will get at least 2 stories fleshed out and ready for critique. Then I'll have a full head of creative steam to begin the PiBoIdMo challenge! Yes! I'll do it.

How do you get motivated after days, weeks, or months of creative downtime? Want to be deadline partners? Let's stop marinating and start producing. -Q

Summertime Fun for Writers

Since most writers are told to write what they know, you would think it a simple process, right? Well, not really... since what we know might not be applicable to the age group or genre we are targeting in our writing. OR we may have exhausted the topics we know well and need fresh ideas.

What to do? I try to get out during the summer and discover new ideas, destinations, and activities that stimulate my writing. 

Never learned how to swim, knit, or play checkers? Take lessons, read a DIY Pinterest post or get a friend to teach you. New experiences help you gain new ideas and insights that stir the creative pot. 

I call it creative cross-training. I take one day off from the day job every week or two, grab my camera, and explore an activity or place I am unfamiliar with. It's a blast and gets the wheels turning. Give it a try and let me know how it goes. -Q

Promote or Perish

For those of you who have not checked the Children's Book Insider, I highly recommend it. They have writers, teachers and connectors who help children's writers become successful. 

This week, Jon Bard, the co-owner of CBI is teaching about marketing. In fact, I am in the middle of a video on the subject right now (paused). Jon just made the statement that publishing is not much about "publish or perish" anymore, but much more like "promote or perish." 

That hit home. For those of us who write, have children and hold down crazy hectic day jobs, the idea that we also have to find time to promote our work is beyond daunting. It sounds more like mission impossible. Anyway, I hope to take on a professional view of marketing (er, book advocacy) with CBI's help. I'll let you know how it goes. - Q

New Year's Resolutions for Blogging

Okay. I know good intentions and a nickel will get you... well, a nickel, but I am trying to update my fiction and non-fiction websites to simplify my online life. I will just have to give myself a pass and let you know that I am thinking about writing, actually writing, and occasionally updating all the social media sites for both writing personas. Whew! Just writing that makes me tired.

Anyway, I regularly blog about science, here. I "pin" about fiction and non-fiction topics here and here daily. (Don't judge.) Oh! and I've also resurrected my love of photography. You can check out some of my latest images on Dreamstime, here.

If I learn something amazing and/or simply have to share someone's great book news, I will be sure to do it. In the meantime, I am paddling like crazy to get organized with all the writing social media outlets. Thanks for hanging in there. Hopefully everything will get pared down in the next couple of months. -Q

Vacation Time is Divine

As many people do, I have fond memories of summer vacation. School was out and except for household chores and sometimes grueling (if I didn't have a stack of books) car trips, the 3 months of summer were divine. Being known as a children's writer helps when people see me light up with joy at the start of June and don't dim until after Labor Day. 

Even though I have to work at the day job all summer, I do get a couple of weeks off for good behavior. (Yes, Oregon. It was good to see you too!)

In my writing, I try to capture that child-like glee of summer freedom as well. Anything that detracts from that feeling is "the problem" and the return of joy is the solution. Simple, right? Not really, but I like to think of childhood in those terms. (Yes, I am a bit of a Pollyanna. I admit it, but its better than the grumpy alternative.) 

As you embark on your summer writing, try to use favorite summer home/vacation memories to pull the wonder of freedom and anticipation into your work. The exercise may surprise you and help develop depth to your work that you didn't anticipate. Happy summer! - Q

Social Media, Pinterest and Me

We all have our favorites. Favorite color - purple, favorite fruit - blueberry, favorite fish - salmon. How about favorite social media? They are many. It's a maze. 

The question I hear many authors ask is - "Which social media is best for my writing career?" No idea. There are too many variables. Do you want to reach other authors, agents, or editors? Or do you want to reach readers? Or do you want to communicate only with family or friends on social media? 

Your ultimate goal determines which social media is best for you. Personally, I can't keep up with the latest and greatest. My theory is that when a new site overtakes the social media I am now on, I will look into it. Life is too short to chase social media to the detriment of writing time. 

Okay, that said, my super visual self loves Pinterest. (don't judge.) I have a children's writing account, Picbooksrock and a science/steampunk/ 3Dprinting/non-fiction account, Sciwhisperer account. These are relaxing, stimulating, and fantastically fun places to connect! Show and Tell for adults! 

On Pinterest, I don't have to stress about which demographic is interested in an awesome illustration, "The Blue Monster" by Christa Unzne or intricate 3D art by Kevin Mack, Steampunk story starter, "Modern Steam Monobike 1896" by Stefano Marchettiv or picture book video, Caps For Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina. I just pin what strikes me and like-minded folks do the same. Perfect. 

Is is a time suck? Can be. Does it help me keep track of writing resources shared by others? Absolutely. Does it spark tons of creative ideas? Every day! But the best thing about Pinterest? It's FUN! and I am exposed to tons of many different people and their favorite things. 

Pinterest. Stop by and share a favorite. I will too. - Q

Heart Connections in Children's Books

When I was little, my mother read The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton to me. By the time she got to the end, I was so happy TLH had made it back to the country. Fast forward to adulthood. When I read TLH now, tears roll down my face half way through. 

Why? Why after many years and life changes does this children's book still affect me? I believe it's the heart connections made in childhood. In TLH, the house was built on a pretty hill surrounded by daisies out in the country. Eventually the city expands until TLH is surrounded by high rise buildings that block out the sun. TLH longs for the sunny hillside. 

I grew up in the country and eventually moved to Houston, TX amid high rise buildings that blocked out the sun. I seriously missed the open countryside and seeing the stars at night. My childhood connections to The Little House can't be unmade. I can't unsee the illustrations. 

Now as I write this, I'm living in Arkansas and looking out the window at bright snow and woods. Like TLH, I'm back in the country.

Today I read The Boy who was Raised by Librarians by Carla Morris. By the end, I was more than misty. Why? Another heart connection. My mother was a career librarian. I have been in a library nearly every day of my life. I connected in a very personal way to this story.

So here's what I'm thinking. As a children's author, I need to pay more attention to the story ideas that come from a heart connection in my life. I believe those are the ones where my best writing will emerge. Those stories will have connecting power. What do you think? -Q

Happy New Year!

2014! Hurray! A new year, new ideas, new conferences, new drafts, and new agents! Sensing a theme? The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to consider your mindset a "do over" in creativity.

After all the cliches about success and persistence are revisited, it seems that writers have to accept the fact that to be happy, they need to write. 

Publication is desirable and fun, but even if I had never been published, I would still write because I must. As I explained to someone over the holidays, I've had sabbaticals from writing over the years for various family and career reasons, but eventually the need to create (art, photography, and writing) builds like steam in a pressure cooker. Unless it's given an outlet, I'm not a happy camper. My life outlook and joy are dulled. 

So begin 2014 with a fresh outlook. Put a sticky on the bathroom mirror that says, "You are a successful writer. Write!" You'd be surprised how well that works. 

Happy New Year and success to us all! -Q

If You Were a Book...

You know how people always compare dogs and their owners? If you were a book, what would you be? Would you be a western? Science fiction? Paranormal? Fantasy? Mystery? How-to? Historical? Humor? Children's? Christian? Romance? Multicultural? Science? Or some combination of these? 

Iced in over the past 4 days, I have given this some thought. I love fantasy, historical, and science fiction. Throw in some humor and occasional romance for fun and that just about describes me. But like most people, I have different personas depending on the day. I have even written in several of these genres, but I always come back to picture books, my first writing love. 

How about you? At life's end, which best describes you? Are you disciplined enough to focus solely on one writing genre or do you combine one or more? Could you change? Tantalizing things to think about when digging through the freezer for something else to cook since you can't get to the store. -Q

To Rhyme or Not to Rhyme

Many of you have probably figured it out already, but I realized recently that perhaps the reason editors and agents discourage rhyming stories for picture books (besides the fact that it's often not well done) is that rhyming words depend largely on the culture, language, and geographical region of the reader. This became apparent to me when I realized that "gardener" could be pronounced with 2 syllables (gard-ner) or 3 (gar-den-er)  depending on where you live. 

We all know Bostonians pronounce words differently than Houstonians. Do you say "Where are you all going?" Or "Where are y'all headed?"  

I grew up in Nevada, but when I lived in Texas, I learned a lot of new pronunciations. At Thanksgiving, most native Texans say turkey and all the "fixins" not "fixings" or even "sides." My daughter pointed out that I say, the days of the week as (e.g., Monday as "Mon-dee, Tues-dee" instead of "Mon-day, Tues-day"). 

In an article on the subject, James Joyner notes, "I say “loyer,” not “law-yer,” despite the latter pronunciation dominating the places I’ve mostly lived.  Ditto “may-uh-naze” rather than “man-aze.” 

So then, if I have a rhyme about the "sea" and planned to rhyme it with "Thurs-dee" I'd have a problem. A reader in another geographical area would think the rhyme was broken or just wrong. I love to play with rhyming texts, but it is something to think about when tempted to rhyme the next picture book story.
-Q

Marketing for Introverts

I am a quasi-introvert. I enjoy people, other writers, children, etc, but still recharge my creative batteries in solitude (hiking, photography, reading). So, like other introverts, marketing is less than a good time for me because I see it as being uninvited and in your face (e.g., telemarketers at dinner time). I prefer a more sincere approach (i.e., helping others). This plays into my comfort zone since I am more than happy to market for other writers and illustrators. I also like helping folks find reading that meets their needs.

Recently, I rediscovered Rachelle Burk's Writers' Resources blog with TONS of great info. writing/publishing topics as well as great marketing links. I am now making lists of parent organizations, stores, school, journals and anyone else who comes to mind that might genuinely be helped by offering Alphabet Puke - Monsters' Medicine A-Z to their children, patients, or clients.

I know this is intuitive (and I have been doing it to some degree), but now I'm looking at marketing through a different lens and don't mind the process. I'm helping! This mindset change has made all the difference in my marketing foot dragging. Give it a try and let me know what you think or send along other marketing tips for introverts and extroverts. - Q 

Busy has become my middle name! Work, travel, work, writing, events, and more work have made the past two months a blur. No time to worry about it though, I'm looking forward to attending the Oregon Society of Children's Book Writer's and Illustrators (SCBWI) conference this month. With lots of talented folks attending and presenting, it should be a blast. I can hardly wait. I love the critique input, camaraderie and shared commiseration. SCBWI conferences always leave me charged and ready to write and/or tackle yet another revision.

Have you been to a writing conference this year? It might be just the thing to put the spring back in your writing step! There are plenty still to come. Go for it!
-Q

White Time

As many writers experience, story ideas come with little or no advance notice. The same is true of unexpected writing time. As this backyard picture illustrates, I was geographically blessed by winter storm Euclid hitting my area on Christmas day. 

With little advance warning, 12-15 inches of snow incapacitated the roads and put 190,000 people in the city out of power. Luckily, I didn't lose power even though many friends are still without electricity. [I've asked them to stay, but the roads are too icy to make it to my house which sits on a very steep hill.] 

So, instead of worrying about missing after Christmas sales, I've settled in and accepted this gift of writing time with open arms. I'm getting caught up on marketing deadlines, working on my website, checking in on Facebook and Pinterest and may even Tweet if the inspiration hits. 

Mostly, I'm recording sensory details for future projects. I love winter, but now I'll depend less on memory for winter details (crystal crackling of ice falling from the trees) and more on my notes.

A sudden winter storm strengthened my writing and spirit. Post holiday chaos has been replaced with white time to recharge and create. Happy winter!
-Q

In the Black

For years, I thought Black Friday was named for the rudeness and misbehavior of day after Thanksgiving shoppers. I didn't realize it was for shop owners who were now solvent and "in the black" after 11 months of being in the red. 

It's a lot like writing. The majority of the time you use a red pen to hone a story to a fine edge. Then, after many revisions there is only black ink, no more rude red; the piece is polished to perfection. It becomes Black Friday or Black Tuesday or whatever.

Like finding a great sale, satisfaction reigns. Send it to an editor and hope for green.
-Q

Why Now?

Its Day 20 of PiBoIdMo and I'm still on schedule. Ideas are flowing with little or no effort. It's fantastic. The only thing that puzzles me is why now? In the past few years, I've  polished and re-polished a few stories and really didn't look much beyond those. Now during my first PiBoIdMo, they arrive right on cue singly or in twos and threes. Again, why now? Was giving myself permission to open the tap? Perhaps, but I'm thinking that it goes back to being prepared, being receptive, and doing the groundwork. Working on my craft for weeks and years brought me closer to the point where ideas are recognized and accepted as valid. It's exciting! How about you? On track? Ahead? Lagging? It's all good.
-Q

Picture Book Idea Month - 2012

 Picture book idea month starts today. It's my first time to participate and I'm ready! I have motivation. I have  chai tea and snacks. I have a new spreadsheet to catch ideas as they spring from the ether.

Check back on November 30. With any luck, I will have captured at least 30 story ideas to polish in 2013. Good luck to all those participating! If you haven't joined yet, there is still time (through Nov. 4). Children's author, Tara Lazar is the contact.

Writing Contests

Whether you think you have a competitive streak or not, you are actually competing all the time as a writer. Just step into a bookstore and look at the sheer number of books available if you doubt it. So why not compete in a more determined way? Enter a contest. There are annual contests, genre contests, online contests and timed writing contests. 

Writer's Digest is a good place to find lists of regional or national contests tailored to your interests and time availability. Pick a close range contest and perhaps one in 6 months. Then, read all the submission rules and get busy. I've found that I need a deadline to help me push past my ambivalence. A contest helps with that. 

Just think! A contest win puts you into that upper stratosphere classification  of "award winning author."  Good luck!

-Q

Ray Bradbury - Lover of Life

National Endowment for the Arts video

Science fiction/fantasy legend, Ray Bradbury, died June 5, 2012. Like many, many other writers/readers, Mr. Bradbury influenced how I saw life and fiction as a young adult. This endearing video should be required viewing for all fiction writers. Check out Ray Bradbury on his childhood love of reading, how he rented a library basement typewriter for 10 cents/half hour and wrote Farenheit 451, and how he has written every day for the past 75 years.

"The things that you do should be things that you love, and things that you love should be things that you do." - Ray Bradbury
I may watch this every day for a while, just to sync Bradbury's counsel with my creative wiring.
-Q