A Blog Pivot

Since my day job is at an academic medical center, I thought I might change the flavor of this blog from children's writing to children's health and activities. This main focus pivot will align better with my daily thoughts and perhaps lend itself to posting more often. 

So... have you heard about the various healthy activities available for kids during the summer months? I spotted this extensive list and wanted to pass it along. The fun includes artistic, indoor/outdoor, exploration, local trips and more!

Let me know your favorites. I love biking/hiking, drawing/painting, and dreaming up new juice pops and smoothie flavors! - Q

The Problem with Piracy

So, it has come to my attention that Alphabet Puke: Monsters' Medicine A-Z has been pirated. Bummer. This creative brain child of much quiet longing and effort is just another free .pdf download on the internet without any remorse or thought for the rights of the author, illustrator or publisher. 

Copyright is important in this country. Other countries - not so much.

I write to share knowledge and stories, but also to buy clothes, food, internet service and all the other things literary pirates buy. Only now, I will be buying a lot less. Thanks for nothing. -Q

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 Here! Picture Book Idea Month!

And we're off! Pencils sharpened. Laptops charged. Ideas unleashed. 

Go! 

Picture Book Idea Month (PiBoIdMo 2015) is underway. But if you missed the first day, due to time changes and other mundane non-writing activities like eating and sleeping, you can still join the fun! Just click on the PiBoIdMo logo (on the left) and follow the simple instructions to sign-up. 

Tara Lazar has lined up another great cast of contributing editors, agents, authors, etc with words of encouragement and writing tips during the month of November to facilitate our success as writers. Every day, you'll get wisdom and experience delivered to your email (if you select that option) to help navigate publishing idiosyncrasies.

Sign up! You'll be glad you did.
-Q

p.s. Tara did not bribe me with scones, dark chocolate, or other goodies to write this post. But I wouldn't mind...

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

On the Road with Alphabet Puke - Join the Fun!

Tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. I'll be doing a book reading and signing of Alphabet Puke: Monsters' Medicine A-Z at the Museum of Health and Medicine in Houston, Texas. Wahoo! I can hardly wait. 

The museum gift store is aptly named, The Amazing Body Shop and has a variety of fun medical and health goodies. I plan to check out the plush microbes!

What is you favorite health letter? Mine is "G" for germs! But "H" for hiccup is a close second! 

Come visit me tomorrow and we'll compare health letters and other medical fun with word finds, mazes, and coloring pages. I'm bringing my 3-headed monster stethoscope so we can listen to our jazzy or slumbering heartbeats. See you soon!  -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

Book club for Kids

I'm a member of a book club and we read a variety of books and genres suggested by the members. It's fun and exposes me to books I never would have picked up otherwise. Now, I must admit, I don't finish all of them. Time is a valuable commodity and why read something that is REALLY not your thing for a week. But, I finish probably 75% of the books. 

Recently, I got to thinking about a children's book club. Wouldn't it be fun to read picture books and discuss them once a month? Then it hit me, I do that all the time with online critique partners, forums, editor/agent blogs, etc. I read some books I am surprised by and others that leave me giggling. 

As a picture book writer, I go to the library every Saturday and check out 7-12 picture books from the new book shelf or on display in other areas. I pour over the formats and make note of what fits with my style. Definitely learning made fun. I read and finish 100% of the books I check out. 

What ways do you further your skills as a children's writer? -Q

New Web Presence Finally

Wahoo! I finally got the websites figured out for my children's fiction and non-fiction work.

It was a lot of work, but thanks to the tech folks at the Author's Guild, I finally got everything up and running. 

So you can find my children's fiction at quinncole.com
and my non-fiction at ldwilliams.com. I'm hoping to simplify things and still maintain my sanity. Well, mostly. 

In other news, I have posted picture books I love (some old favorites and some newly published) on my pinterest boards on children's fiction, non-fiction, illustrations, first lines and westerns. They are all so creative and fun to read. Definitely worth a look. -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

Getting Your Picture Book to the Right Re-Seller

Okay, I've ceased feeling guilty for the infrequent posts here (day job is crazy busy) since the alternative is to delete and focus on my non-fiction science blog. But's what's the fun in that?

Anyway, I recently got to see how knowing your audience (and in this case, your re-seller) really makes a difference between a ho-hum response to a book and over-the-top excitement (at least by the sales staff).

Last Friday while in Houston, TX. visiting family, I stopped by the Museum of Health and Medical Sciences gift shop. I thought a personal visit would allow me to provide background on why I wrote Alphabet Puke: Monsters' Medicine A-Z (take the scary out of sickness and health stuff) and rave about the great illustrations by Charles Eubanks. I'm much more animated in person than in correspondence. I was even able to mention the YouTube AP  book trailer.

The response was fantastic! A museum gift shop PLUS a children's picture book on medical terms and health. Who knew?! Anyway, the person who actually orders was out, but based on the initial response, I'm optimistic.

Fingers crossed! And let me know how your targeted conversations go with potential resellers. -Q

Happy National Tooth Fairy Day!

As children's writers, this may be the closest we get to having a day dedicated to us. Or childhood. Or imagination. 

Just reading the post title makes me smile and realize that no matter how many times a topic has been covered, it can be imagined in a new way. 

How have you pictured the tooth fairy in your imagination? Here are just a few books on the subject. All wonderful in different ways.

• The Night before the Tooth Fairy by Natasha Wing
• Silverlicious by Victoria Kann
• The Tooth Fairy Trap by Rachelle Burk
• Caraboose, The Tooth Fairy Moose by Janelle Cox
• Junie B. - Toothless Wonder by Barbara Parks
• Bear's Loose Tooth by Karma Wilson
• The Tooth Fairy by Peter Collington
• Mary the Tooth Fairy by Nick Bell
• Tooth Fairy's First Night by Anne Bowen
• April Underhill, Tooth Fairy by Bob Graham 
• The Tooth Book by Theo LeSieg
• You Think It's Easy Being the Tooth Fairy? by Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt
• Emma and the Tooth Fairy by Alexander Zavlavsky
• Dear Tooth Fairy by Alan Durant
• Throw Your Tooth on the Roof: Tooth Traditions from Around the World by Selby Beeler

Power up your imagination. Today is your day too. Happy Children's Authors Day! Happy National Tooth Fairy Day!  -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

Cowboys, Campfires, and Growing Up in the West

Some of you know that I grew up on a ranch in western Nevada. John Wayne and my dad were my heroes. I got my own horse, a good-natured Palomino at age 11. I was so overcome by happiness, I cried. Which really confused my parents until I explained they were happy tears. So how has this colorful upbringing affected my writing? 

Well, a lot of family stories have been percolating like coffee on the campfire for years. Recently, I started pulling them together to share with my own native Texans and other children.

My stories are coming along, but have you thought about the special features of your upbringing? How does your writing reflect those early roots? Your unique insights could add the sparkle to an already interesting and fun story. -Q

You Never Know Who Will Be Reading

If you are like me, reading and books have been part of your life since before you could remember. My mom was a career librarian, so I grew up in the library. Instead of rural Nevada, I could live in far away real and imagined places. I only ever met children's authors face-to-face through their writing. Hundreds of authors shaped my mind and values without us ever speaking a word.

Now as a published author, I have the thrill of meeting children and discussing their favorite books and characters. I'm honored to pay-it-forward from those wonderful writers of my childhood.

Whether talking non-fiction and STEM topics or fiction and flying monkeys, the chance to share ideas with readers never gets old. It is one of the main things that keeps me encouraged when the rejections roll in or the day job gets busy and family asks me why I keep at it. 

How about you? What part of writing for children do you enjoy most? - Q

Board Book Bias?

I've noticed over the past couple of years that a lot of popular picture books have been condensed into board books. The art is still great, but the stories and concepts often suffer. Plus, as was pointed out in a Horn Book article from nearly twenty years ago, publishers seem to put much less thought into making original board books (designed specifically for toddlers) than they do repackaging $ making picture books.

Here are a few examples of books that were written for older kids but are now available for toddlers, On the Night You Were Born, Little Blue Truck, and Giraffes Can't Dance. These are great 32 page picture books with colorful illustrations, but I'm not convinced a toddler will understand the concepts (e.g. self esteem) as the author intended when it is shortened to a handful of pages. 

Silly me, but writers and illustrators are directed by agents, editors and publishing contracts to write for a designated age group. A completed story is worked and reworked to fit into the intended category with age appropriate words, art, etc. 

So, it seems important to speak up in support of writers who write original board books! Writer/illustrator Sandra Boynton comes to mind. 

By the way, I admit I have a huge writer crush on Sandra's ability to tell a complete story in a very short word count. (Plus I love her art!) Books like Blue Hat, Green Hat (which we call the "Oops! book" at our house), Doggies, and The Going to Bed Book are wonderful for 1-2 year olds because they are written for them.

Anyway, it's something to think about as writers and book buyers. I know what I plan to do. What do you think? Who are your favorite board book authors/illustrators? - Q

The Day Job

It has been over a month since I posted here. Did I forget you? Never! In fact, I have had a substantial amount of guilt over all the writing tasks that have taken a back seat in the last 2 months to my day job. 

March and April I run a large event in addition to my normal job tasks. This year, my management had even more confidence in my "endless" energy. I was given another 3 only slightly smaller events to coordinate in March/April on top of the huge event and my usual work. 

Anyway, you get the idea. Tons of day job responsibilities that pay the bills, but zap most creative energy. Make dinner, feed the animals, shower, fall into bed, repeat.

Apparently, this is not a modern affliction. Many well know writers in history had day jobs and did fine. I enjoyed this blog post by Mason Currey. Thanks! 

Guilt is sliding away. Hope is creeping in. The pressures of the day job recede and creativity is back in the driver's seat. Are you in the same place? Hang in there with me. We will succeed. -Q