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