I am positively giddy about introducing today’s Tuesday 12 x 12 author. The timing could not be more fortuitous either, as Tim McCanna’s outstanding music is featured in my storybook app A SHIVER OF SHARKS, which was just released YESTERDAY! 

Tim tells the wonderful tale of how we came to meet and collaborate on both SHIVER and A TROOP IS A GROUP OF MONKEYS, but I have to add my own two cents about how phenomenal its been to work with Tim every step of the way. Tim is exceptionally talented in so many ways, and if he has a fault at all it’s his modesty. Many of you who have been following my blog and publication path are familiar with Tim’s work on the apps, but just WAIT until you read his own app, TEENY TINY TRUCKS, releasing from Little Bahalia later this summer. You are in for such a treat! In the meantime, I’ll try to stop gushing and let Tim speak for himself. Please welcome Tim!!

HOW 12X12 PAVED MY PATH TO PUBLICATION

Okay, so technically, I am still a pre-published writer, but in a few months that will all change. Before I get to that, let’s go back in time to early December 2011. I had just finished Tara Lazar’s Picture Book Idea Month. Tara mentioned in a final email that some mystery woman named Julie Hedlund was inviting anyone to join her in this 12×12 challenge thingy. For me, it was an instant no-brainer. I need goals and deadlines. Badly. 12×12 hit the spot.

In early 2012, Julie announced that she was being interviewed on something called Brain Burps About Books. Huh? Whah? At the time I was podcast illiterate. But curiosity got the best of me, and I’m so glad it did. After listening to Julie’s Brain Burps episode, I devoured earlier podcasts hosted by author/illustrator Katie Davis. It’s a treasure trove of industry insights—all for free. I was so inspired by Katie’s contribution to the kidlit community, that I was stricken with song. A bouncy little Brain Burps jingle popped out of my head, so I recorded it and sent it as a 100th episode gift to Katie. It’s been her show-opening theme song ever since!

That experience was an awakening for me. Beyond writing and submitting over and over for the sake of getting published, I had finally found a personal way to contribute to the community. It was a discovery that came through a chain reaction of active participation. Without any ulterior motive, I wrote a song to say thanks and make someone smile. (By the way, that feels really good.) But I wasn’t done. There were more links to add to the chain.

I ended up writing a 6-month celebration song for 12×12 as well as a jingle for the Picture Book Academy. Then, in September I got an email with the best subject line ever: “Want to be in my app?” Julie loved the Brain Burps song and offered me the opportunity to write a sing-a-long version of the text for her story app, A Troop is a Group of Monkeys. And now it’s out there! Available to anyone in the world with an iPad! My son says I’m famous.

Around the same time, Julie released her App Proposal Template, which was based on the proposal that had landed her deal with Little Bahalia Publishing. I had a shelved app concept of my own that was going nowhere, so I bought the template and developed a much stronger app proposal for my story. After I wrapped up my work on Troop, I sent my proposal to Stacey at Little Bahalia. Within a week, I got a phone call! And so, Teeny Tiny Trucks is due out this summer. It’s being illustrated as we speak!

Now, did having a brief working experience with Little Bahalia help my chances of getting a contract? Maybe. I don’t know. I hope so. That’s kinda the point! My first publishing deal didn’t come from an anonymous, unsolicited slush pile submission. (Though I always daydreamed it happening that way.) It came through participating in writing challenges. It came through contributing to other people’s work. It came through building relationships and helping others. Katie Davis calls it reciprocity. Whatever you want to call it, the fact is, we all have our own paths to publication—if that’s your goal. After four years, I’m grateful for the path I finally found, and for the friends I’ve made along the way.

Tim McCanna writes books, music, and apps for children. He lives in Mountain View, CA with his wife Trudi and their two grade schoolers, Nate and Sophie. Learn more about Tim and watch his kidlit videos at www.timmccanna.com.

It’s always a pleasure to meet and introduce a fellow Michigander and Wolverine! But that’s not the only thing I have in common with today’s Tuesday 12 x 12 author is Laura Wolfe. She too gave up an intense, high-power, corporate career to focus on her children and her dream of writing – yay! Given how dedicated Laura has been to her craft and to the challenge, I have no doubt that we will ALL be calling her a children’s AUTHOR one day, in addition to a children’s writer. Please welcome Laura!

I have two passions: horses and writing. Everyone who knows me knows that I am passionate about horses. But somewhere along the line, perhaps through discouraging comments about the dismal odds of becoming a successful children’s writer, I learned to keep my desire to become a writer to myself.  After all, I was not published. I couldn’t tell people I was a writer, could I? While working at my unfulfilling desk job, I secretly wrote outlines of stories on my computer. I joined the SCBWI, but remained anonymous. I kept a journal of story ideas on my bedside table.I couldn’t help but notice that all of my stories involved horses.Every year, I bought the new edition of the Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market. I occasionally submitted my work to magazines. Like so many of us, I was learning by doing. No one, except my (very supportive) husband, knew about my writing.     

It wasn’t until I made the decision to leave my full-time job and stay home with my two young children, I became serious about “honing my craft” and getting published.I started a blog, www.RockingHorseWriting.com, to track my journey and keep myself accountable. But I lacked a clear focus. I needed goals that I could set for myself and achieve. Thankfully, I heard about the 12 x 12 challenge through my local SCBWI chapter. 

Becoming a Gold Member in the 12 x 12 was the best thing I have done to move my writing forward. Through the forum, I found an online writing partner who has been motivating and insightful. I also joined an online critique group made up of other 12 x 12 members. This group has been instrumental in helping me revise and refine my manuscripts.  “Another story about horses, Laura?” they ask good-naturedly every month. They are brutally honest (and I do mean BRUTAL), but they are supportive and encouraging too. Since starting the challenge in January, I have completed five manuscripts and revised one. I have submitted my manuscripts to three of the featured 12 x 12 agents so far.

The knowledge I’ve gained through 12 x 12 has given me confidence in my writing. I now tell people that I am a children’s writer.  And guess what? They don’t laugh. I can visualize the day I tell people that I am a children’s AUTHOR. Oh, how great it will feel to say those words!  Until then, I am happy in my work.  I have found a way to combine my two passions, horses and writing.  It just doesn’t get much better than that!   

In addition to being a children’s writer, Laura Wolfe is a wife and mom of two young children, a horsewoman, an animal lover and an environmental advocate. Because she believes in “writing what you know”, many of her stories focus on horses and the crazy antics of her young children. When she is not writing picture books, she is playing superheroes with her kids, horsing around at the barn, or spoiling her rescue dog. In her previous life, she was an attorney, a legal editor, and a successful real estate broker. After having kids, she quickly decided that life was too short not to pursue her passions.

Laura holds a BA in English from the University of Michigan and a JD With Honor from DePaul University College of Law. She has been a member of the Michigan chapter of the SCBWI since 2010. Laura is currently active in several online writing communities, including 12×12, PB Lovers Critique Group, and CBI Clubhouse.

Trisha Cole!

Trisha, please contact me at JulieFHedlund (at) gmail (dot) com to claim your prize.

Congratulations Trisha and KEEP WRITING everyone!

I am more than a little tickled to announce that our June 12 x 12 featured author, Deb Lund, is not only one of my kids’ favorite picture book authors, but also a two-time 12 x 12 member herself! And not JUST a member, but a 2012 winner too! You can see her in the video on the Winner’s Wall.

I am also ecstatic to announce that one lucky 12 x 12 participant will win copies of both DINOSAILORS and ALL ABOARD THE DINOTRAIN. But I must also issue this warning: the books are addictive. We own all three books in the “dino” trilogy, and my kids are NEVER content to read just one. No. So I need to make sure I leave enough time at bedtime to read all three – perhaps more than once. This is an especially fitting prize since Deb’s post this month talks about stealing from the masters to benefit your own writing. And since Deb herself is a master, this month’s winner will be receiving another fantastic study tool. (Can you tell I am a fan???) Please welcome Deb!

Piggyback Picture Books

Remember giving and getting piggyback rides? The bouncing, the falls, the laughter, the fun… Pure Play! Today we’re going to play piggyback again. And you’re getting a free pass into my Piggyback Picture Book Workshop. Well, that is, if you really hop on the back of your favorite authors and try out my suggestions. So, if you’re ready, hop on…

We learn to talk by imitating the voices around us. We know the value of immersion classes for language. When I teach writing classes for teachers, I stress modeling the process and encourage them to write with their students. We learn by example. And when I teach children’s writers, I encourage them to not only follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before them, but to jump right on and get a piggyback ride.

As children’s book creators, we have amazing masters to follow. Masters to emulate. Masters to borrow from—okay, steal—but it’s all in the name of education. Besides, picture book creators have always been troublemakers—we get our characters in trouble.

Yes, I’m promoting thievery. With a twist. Here’s how it goes…

You love a book—maybe The Napping House. And then you realize it’s the structure you love, the cumulative format. Your favorite song as a child was “Old McDonald” and when you got a copy of This is the House Jack Built for your birthday, you wore it out before the week was over. Or maybe your own kiddo loves If You Give a Mouse a Cookie because of the surprise ending that closes the circle. Have you tried a circular story? What format keeps calling you?

Use that format!

Maybe your cumulative tale becomes a story about how a kid is later and later for school each day because of the additional tasks she adds on to her routines. Hmmm… I’m calling dibs on that one!

Maybe you’ll pick up Fancy Nancy and decide to create a book that’s the direct opposite of it. Yup. I already did that, and my agent likes it, so we’ll see what happens.

And really, is there anyone with more attitude than Olivia? She’s based on the book creator’s niece, and the real Olivia is not much different that the red-loving piggy portrayed inside the book. Now there’s a perfect piggybacking opportunity.

And then there’s I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More (which I wish I would have written)! Take a fun song you love to sing, rework the text, weave in a theme, and presto—another new manuscript.

Brave Potatoes has forward motion, potatoes whose rhythm and word choice is nonstop staccato movement. Where else could you use that? What rhythm works best for your story?

Owl Babies helps kids with separation anxiety without being didactic. And it’s got lots of “threes” and repetition, as well as being a great cuddle book. What little kid issue can you use in a story? What pattern would work well with it?

Awww… the Pigeon. How about another animal—or object— having a temper tantrum over a completely different issue? Or make the pigeon a child with an unreasonable request and see what happens.

Not a Box… Could “imagination” be the theme of your next manuscript?

My most popular titles come about from combining picture book elements. Rhythm, rhyme, subjects kids love (always more than one). Dinosaurs and forms of transportation. Monsters and construction machinery. What can you combine in a story of your own?

Do you see what’s happening here? Then get to your library and begin piggybacking! Here’s your assignment…

Read piles of picture books. What elements of those books appeal most to you? Ask yourself “What if…?” as you read. What if you borrowed this or that? What if you added a twist or did the opposite? How can you use picture book elements to make your own stories?

Don’t just do it in your heads. It won’t save time. This means reading lots of picture books, folks.

Make friends with your local librarians. Find out when they process and display new picture books. Get the books before any of those greedy little hands (JK) grab them off the shelf, and study them!

This is called Leaning From the Masters.

Okay, got that stack of books in front of you now? Ask yourself these questions about the following picture book elements and you’ll be piggybacking in no time:

Ideas and Plot

·         Does the story remind you of an experience you’ve had, witnessed, or heard about? Try writing a story based on that experience.

·         Can you identify the story arc (beginning, middle, and end) and use it as a model to create your own?

Character and Voice (the character’s and the author’s)

·         How is the character revealed?

·         Are there any special phrases or other quirks that make the character compelling?

·         Can you borrow an attitude or “voice” and write your own story?

·         How are rhythm and rhyme used? Check for internal rhyme, alliteration, and assonance.

Format

·         What is the structure of the book? Is it a conversation?

·         Find the patterns. Does it have repeated lines or actions?

·         Is it written in prose or verse form?

·         What is the viewpoint or tense?

It’s okay to piggyback on the elements of picture books.  Mix and match them.

Stretch yourself. Try an element you haven’t tried before. Step out of your comfort zone. Take an existing manuscript and add one of these elements to it.

Okay, I took my turn, and now it’s your turn to piggyback. Let us know how it goes.

Deb Lund is a bestselling picture book author who piggybacks, juggles, and rides a unicycle. Her master’s project 25 years ago was on teaching writing, and she’s taught writers of all ages ever since. She’s a popular presenter at schools, libraries, and conferences. As a trained creativity coach, Deb partners with writers and artists to help them achieve their dreams, coaches authors on school visits, offers limited manuscript consultations, and teaches continuing education courses for writing teachers.

You can hear more from Deb at these links:

http://www.deblund.com/blog/

http://www.facebook.com/DebLundCoach

http://www.facebook.com/DebLundAuthor

http://www.twitter.com/deblund

http://www.youtube.com/user/deblund1/videos    

Folks, this is going to be a short and sweet intro because I honestlly have no idea what happened to the month of May. Seriously. What happened to it? How can we be entering our sixth month of 12 x 12 already?

It’s probably obvious by that opener that I did not get a draft completed in May. I’m feeling anxious about it and itching to write. So you heard it here first – I WILL write a draft and revise one in June!! So there!

Quick reminder: Submissions to our May featured agent Elizabeth Harding will close today at 6:00 p.m. EST/3:00 p.m. PST SHARP! Our June featured agent, Erzsi Deak, will begin accepting submissions tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. EST.

Okay folks. It’s your turn to report. Did you or did you not write a new draft and or revise an existing draft in May?

Here is what you need to do to check in for a chance to win a PB critique from Jean Reidy, even if you didn’t complete a draft!

1. See the Rafflecopter widget at the end of this post that says “A Picture Book Critique from Jean Reidy” at the top.
2. Click on the “Comment on Jean’s Blog Post” button. It will reveal the task, which is to comment on Jean’s May 1st post. Commenting on Jean’s post is mandatory and gets you one point even if you didn’t complete a draft in May. If you haven’t yet commented, click here to do so. Then you click ENTER on that option in Rafflecopter, which will then open the next two options.
3. Click on the “Wrote a PB Manuscript” button. This will ask if you completed a PB draft in May. If you did, click ENTER, if you did not, move on to the next step.
4. Click on the last “Revised a PB Manuscript” button. This will ask if you revised a PB in May. If you did, click ENTER. If not, move on to the next step.
5. Submit your entry. Rafflecopter will track your points.

You have until midnight EST on June 1st to enter your results. I will then have Rafflecopter draw a winner and announce it on the blog on June 2nd.

Many, many thanks to Jean Reidy for inspiring us to create picture books with power!

Finally, don’t forget to come back tomorrow to meet June’s featured author. It’s another winner!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

So. What to say about Erzsi Deak, who is my own agent, albeit only for a short time (read: we haven’t gone out on submission with anything yet).

Here are a few things. She is whip-smart and forward-thinking. As a “boundary-pusher” (can I find more phrases to hyphenate?) in publishing, part of the reason I knew we’d be a good fit is because she doesn’t shy away from new challenges or the opportunity to chart new ground. She does not see herself as just a seller of manuscripts but as an advocate for her clients’ careers. Another thing I appreciate about her is that she’s not a “client-coddler” (there’s another one, AND I think I made that one up). Meaning — she will stretch you to do your best work and beyond. Ask a straight question and you’ll get a straight answer. I’ve already found that quality of hers immensely helpful in thinking about and planning my writing projects.

Last, but certainly not least, she LOVES picture books. But she is, to put it in her own words, a “hard ass” about them. 

In short, I’m proud to be one of the chicks in the coop and hope some of my 12 x 12 brethren will join me there.

A little bit about Erzsi Deak, founder of Hen&ink, from the Hen&ink website: 

“Hen&ink is a literary studio with a twist. We aim to work in the traditional publishing arena, but also to encourage and develop work across cultural borders, genres, and media.

Hen&ink founder, Erzsi Deàk, brings her 25+ years experience on the international stage, connecting individuals and companies with those around the globe who can make things happen – no matter where you find yourself.

With her growing list of prize-winning clients and new voices from around the world, Erzsi Deàk meets often with publishers in the US and UK and aggressively markets domestic and foreign rights, attending the Bologna, London and Frankfurt rights fairs. 

Erzsi’s book, PERIOD PIECES: STORIES FOR GIRLS, was a Bank Street pick and her articles on the world of children’s publishing regularly appear in CHILDREN’S WRITERS & ILLUSTRATORS’ MARKET. Based in France, Erzsi ran the international arm of the SCBWI for nearly ten years, developing and mentoring writers, illustrators and publishing programs in 28 countries. She founded and organized the SCBWI Bologna Conference and was awarded the SCBWI Member of the Year in 1999 and 2008. 

But mostly, Erzsi is on the forefront of the international publishing scene, doing what she does best, connecting people across borders and genres.”

Please welcome author Julie Falatko to the How I Got My Agent series. Julie is a two-time member of the 12 x 12 picture book writing challenge and a friend to boot! We’re both Brain Burps girls, and although we have not (yet) met in person, I feel like I’ve known her forever. I’ve long since forgiven her for stealing snapping up the best blog name ever — World of Julie. I’m so happy for her and I know you will be too!

Julie, how long had you been writing before seeking an agent, and what made you decide it was time to look for one? What kind of research did you do before submitting?

When I started getting serious about writing, I researched all the publishers who accepted unagented submissions, and it quickly became clear I’d do better with an agent.

It was still another year-and-a-half after realizing I’d need an agent before I started submitting. I did a lot of research both into agents and into the querying process. It seemed like a lot of people were doing a LOT of querying, which is certainly one approach. But I know that my stories are a little quirky and weird, and might not be for everyone. I only sent queries to agents who seemed like they’d want my style of writing. It would be a waste of everyone’s time otherwise. (Seriously, some days I barely have time to tie my shoes. I definitely don’t have time to send a query to an agent who doesn’t like books like the ones I write.)

The dreaded questions: How many queries?  How many rejections?

Eleven queries. Of those, five were basic rejections. Two were what I call, in my spreadsheet, “lovely rejections,” meaning personal rejections. Those personal rejections kept me going.

And there was one more rejection that was above and beyond a lovely rejection. I want to frame this rejection. It was the most encouraging, heartening, happy-making rejection imaginable. I know not every agent has time to send a personal rejection, or even a response. But when agents are moved to write something that lets the writer know they’re not crazy for trying to do this thing, it makes a huge difference.

Two agents (Danielle and another one) wanted to see more of my work. When Danielle (Danielle Smith of ForeWord Literary) offered, I nudged the other agent and they said they were going to make me an offer also (!!) but were stepping aside given the situation.

How’s my math? (You see why I need an agent?) Eleven queries, I’ve mentioned ten responses. There was one more that kind of fell through the cracks – I sent a follow-up nudge after Danielle offered representation and never heard anything. That happens, too.  It’s ok.

Was it difficult to find an agent who wanted to represent an author-only focusing solely on picture books?

Not really! But maybe that’s because I didn’t send out too many queries. All the information is out there. You look on QueryTracker and follow interesting agents on Twitter, and it’s pretty easy to make a list of agents to look at.

The greater focus for me was to find an agent who would think my stories were charming and funny, rather than shudder and try to quietly toss them out the nearest window.

How did you know your agent was “the one?

When I saw that Foreword Literary had formed in March, and that Danielle would be their picture book agent, I took another look at her blog, There’s a Book. And I saw that we have nearly identical taste in books.

So I sent off my story. I think you have to be really zen about submissions. You write your best story, you write your best query, and then there’s nothing else you can do. Forget about it for a while.

And so I was very, very excited when Danielle responded about two weeks later asking for more stories. And then about a week after that she emailed me to set up a phone call. And we all know (or hope we know) about The Call.

On the phone, over email, and online, Danielle is enthusiastic and extremely supportive. She is just as passionate about children’s books as I am (as we all are, those of you reading this). So I knew right away that I liked her, as a person. It was clear that she is also extremely organized, knowledgeable, connected, and would be good at contracts and things, so I knew she is also an excellent agent.

Do you think your platform (blog, reviewer on Brain Burps, etc.) helped you find your agent?

The very first question Danielle asked me on the phone was, “Do you still do the reviews for Brain Burps?” She was asking because the fact that I do picture book reviews shows that I have a knowledge of the industry. You know, I’m so surrounded by you all, these smart, smart writer people. But I guess there are people who just dash off what they think is a picture book and send it off to whomever. So doing the podcast reviews immediately put a big star over my head that said, “This one’s not a loon” (not for that reason, at least).

I will make no comment.

If 12 x 12 helped you in any way during your agent search/development of craft, can you tell us how?

I can honestly say that I would not have an agent if it weren’t for 12×12. (I swear I didn’t hold her in a headlock and make her say that!!)

Last summer (2012) I had one story polished and submittable. So I submitted it, twice (and got rejected). But then a friend in my critique group got an agent, and the biggest lesson she shared from that experience was that you have to have at least three finished, polished stories before you even think about submitting.

So I stopped submitting to focus on writing. If you remember my 12×12 post from last year, 12×12 in 2012 gave me a lot of first drafts. I buckled down and finished them.

This process was one of the most intense things I’ve ever done. But it was something I passionately wanted to do, and felt like I had to do.

(There was another factor in this, and that was my incredibly supportive husband. He has a particular brand of tough-love motivation that works brilliantly for me. And so he said, “You’ve been talking about writing for years now. Enough. Either do it or don’t. But if you’re going to do it, do it.” And he was right. Was I going to do this or not?)

I put my younger two kids in preschool two days a week, and my husband forbid me from running errands on those days. So I revised, and I wrote. I focused more than I knew I could. It was a blast.

Okay, I have to interject here and say I love your husband! I mean, I don’t LOVE love him, because that would be wrong, but what a superstar for both supporting AND pushing you!!

And while I was working 12×12 kept rolling. And I’m proud to say that my December, January, March, April, and May drafts are all either done or at their final stages with Danielle.

12×12 taught me that the more you write, the better your writing gets. I know, I know. Caveman Writer Guy pretty much wrote that sentiment on the cave walls in mammoth blood. But still, it’s one thing to know it, and another thing to experience it yourself. It’s practice. And the more I write, the less my drafts are like those things from the beginning of 2012, which I’m going to use for firestarters the next time I go camping.

What advice would you give to picture book writers looking for agents today?

The first thing would be to take your time. Get those three (or more!) stories ready. Join a critique group. Revise a lot.

Write a lot, too. Expect to write some terrible stories. That’s ok. You need to get the terrible ones out of your system. They’re all stepping stones to your amazing stories.

The second would be to do your research. There’s often a lot of information online about agents. Find out as much as you can. Does the agent seem like someone who would like your stuff? Who would be able to sell your manuscripts? Do you like what you read about the agent?

And do your research about how to query, too. There are approximately one gazillion articles on the internet about proper query formatting, and common agent pet peeves. It’s pretty easy to figure this stuff out. Take your time, and do it right.

You have four children. Have you ever considered selling them in order to fund attendance at writer’s conferences?

I think it is worth noting that I’ve never been to a writer’s conference. I know they’re amazing, and a great way to meet agents. But they’re not a necessity. I have a lot of wee children, and the time and money for going to writer’s conferences never grew out of that tree I planted in the backyard expressly for that purpose.

Despite the fact that I am a self-professed conference junkie, I think it is HUGELY inspiring that you found your agent through the standard, “available to everyone” query process. It just goes to show all of us that talent does rise to the top. There are as many paths as there are writers. The most important thing, always, is the craft.

I still think the most important thing to do if you want to get an agent, to sell a book, is to write. A lot. Work on your craft. There are so many “other” things you can do – go to conferences, blog, join 12×12, Tweet, Tumbl, Foofinfarf (that’s a new one I just made up; it’ll be super hot by next week). Do those things if you can, but first, always, write.

Oh! But that’s not what you asked me. My children, I’m afraid, are not worth much on the open market. Instead I am training them to do all the housework so that I can spend more time writing. So far it’s going…well, look around. You can see how it’s going. Watch out! Don’t step there! Yeah, ok. It’s not going so well so far. Though my 7 year-old does make a fabulous English muffin pizza.

Julie Falatko writes picture books from her home in Maine, which she shares with her husband and four children. She reviews picture books for Katie Davis’s Brain Burps About Books podcast, blogs at worldofjulie.com, and bakes when she’s procrastinating. You can find her on Twitter at @JulieFalatko.

I never tire of hearing (or reading) people say how tough it is to write a picture book. But I was especially impressed by the admission from today’s Tuesday 12 x 12 author, Connie Dowell, that she waited to try writing picture books for years because she knew she needed strong writing skills. So often it’s the other way around! People think they are going to ‘cut their teeth’ on picture books and then graduate to longer-form fiction or non-fiction. Please welcome Connie and read on to learn more about the differences of writing picture books vs. middle grade/YA fiction in this fascinating post. 

Picture Books and Carry-over Skills

When I tell people I’m working on a picture book, I’m often surprised by how many people assume picture books are easier to write than other forms. I’m quick to correct them. Picture books are tough! In fact, I put off trying a picture book manuscript for years, worried I wasn’t a strong enough writer to do one justice.

I had been writing middle grade and young adult for a long time when I first fell in love with picture books as a library assistant during graduate school. I couldn’t resist flipping through the picture books in the library’s collection to see the beautiful images and read the sometimes lyrical, sometimes funny, always fascinating words. I wanted to write those words, but I already knew that, frequently, the shorter the piece the more difficult it is to compose.

This year, I finally took the 12 x 12 challenge, hoping the regular writing exercise and community environment would be just what I needed to get started in this intimidating (to me) new category. It couldn’t have been more perfect. Knowing I have to get 12 of these puppies at least in first-draft form before 2014, I’ve been furiously brainstorming and putting pen to paper and hands to keyboard, no matter how awful I feel like my drafts are when I write them. Not only have I a learned a great deal about picture books through this process, I’ve gained writing skills that carry over to fiction for other age groups as well. Furthermore, I’ve learned those skills as a direct result of some of the differences between picture book and novel writing, the length and the illustration component.

The shorter length of picture books intensifies the entire writing process. It forces me to think about every single word I put on the page. In just a few months of doing this challenge, I’m writing more concisely than I ever have before and editing more ruthlessly to eliminate redundancy and unnecessary words. In addition, the short length makes picture book characterization more difficult and more crucial. It’s too easy to have characters feel like fill-in-the-blanks, because as writers we don’t have much word count to work in those details that bring characters to life. It’s important to concentrate on what’s special about not just the protagonist but any secondary characters and bear all that in mind for every single action the character takes.

The illustration component of picture books presents an additional challenge. One of the first maxims you learn in picture books is to “leave room for the pictures,” and boy was that hard for me. I spent years refining my use of visual description, finding just the right balance between not enough and too much detail. When I started writing picture books, all that was gone, and I finally realized how much I used it as a crutch. Without visual description, I started thinking about smells, textures, etc. A book is not a movie screen; it can appeal to more than just the eyes and ears.

Thus far I have written and revised two picture book manuscripts, I’m working on a third, and I have a long list of ideas to fill the rest of the year. I’ve enjoyed exploring this fascinating form and improved as not only a picture book writer, but as a writer overall. I can’t wait to see how much I will have learned by the end of the year.

Connie B. Dowell is a university writing tutor and writing center assistant manager. Her freelance editing and proofreading business launches in May. Always passionate about children’s literature, in high school and college, she hid her books for younger readers lest anyone should discover that she read “little kid books.” Now she reads whatever she pleases right out in the open, daring anyone to judge. Connie lives in Virginia with her husband and an overly clingy cat. Find her online at www.bookechoes.com.

Sneak peek at seahorses from SHIVER!

I had a most bountiful birthday week! Feeling most grateful and fortunate indeed.

Quotes on Gratitude

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.” – Nido Qubein

“Happiness resides not in possessions, and not in gold. Happiness dwells in the soul.” – Democritus

Gratitude list for the week ending May 25

1. I had the extreme honor of being featured on the fabulous Happy Birthday Author blog. Right alongside many of my heroes of the craft! Thanks again Eric!
2. I received so many heartfelt and heartwarming messages from friends and family for my birthday. I felt truly loved and appreciated.
3. I received three coveted books as gifts plus gift certificates for more!
4. Sharing a meal and some wine with friends the night before my birthday
5. Going to see EPIC with the kids
6. Watching my cousin’s daughter graduate high school, AND listen to her singing the National Anthem to start the ceremony! I am in awe of her talent and accomplishment.
7. A SHIVER OF SHARKS is in production and should release next week!
8. I made huge progress on my presentation on storybook apps for the NJ-SCBWI conference and I’m SO EXCITED to present!
9. I got lots of good exercise this week.
10. My kids finished their school year in good spirits and with great report cards.

What are you grateful for this week?

Light Up the Night

Hyperion Book CH, October 2011

Suitable for: Ages 4-8

Themes/Topics: Nighttime rituals, Cumulative Story, Bedtime, Space, Geography, Family, Home

Opening/Synopsis: From Amazon:
When it’s time to sleep, it’s nice to know there’s a place that’s safe.  In a cozy house, in a comfy bed, under a blanket that’s white and red under stars so bright they light up the night in your own little piece of the universe.

Activities:

Jean has a whole series of fantastic activities for Light Up the Night on her website, including a curriculum guide for teachers. My kids also enjoy ending the story with their own town, home, special toy.

Why I Like This Book: 

This book is brilliant in bringing a fairly complex subject – of going from the huge expanse of the universe right down to your own home, own room, own bed, own blanket – down to a child’s size. The book is not “message-y” at all, yet subtly communicates that we are all connected in this big, wide world, and that we all belong. The rhyming verse is impeccable and very soothing for bedtime. We all enjoy reading it over and over and over.

For more fantastic picture books and resources please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books.