"...Even if you can't see the pictures with your eyes, you can see them in your head." Ray Charles.
This video won't embed, but it'll make your day, Ray Charles singing Zippity Do Da from a 1978 Disney special.
http://youtu.be/vP7j7U5rPG0
Showing posts with label a to z challenge 2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label a to z challenge 2012. Show all posts
Monday, April 30, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Y is for Yummy
Some of you may know that I got Invisalign braces a few weeks ago. Some of you might have even seen me whip them out to eat last weekend at NESCBWI. By the end of the conference I wasn't shy about taking them out. However, Monday, I got my elastics. Now my teeth are sore and my jaw aches.
I'm having a hard time eating yummy things:
Mmmmmm.....
I'm having a hard time eating yummy things:
Friday, April 27, 2012
X is for eXciting
Yes, I know it's a total cop-out.
But there are so many things to be excited about! And I couldn't come up with a good X word.
Kate Messner mentioned me on her blog, I participated in an amazing agent/author panel on Saturday at NESCBWI, and I met my agent last weekend for the first time.
Also have I mentioned that I'm the co chair of the NESCBWI Regional Conference in 2013???? Joyce Shor Johnson asked me to serve with her, and I'm honored to accept. (Okay, who wants to volunteer? We need you!)
I'm back at my computer today, outlining a nonfiction project, trying to generate word count for my novel, and unpack at the same time. But blissfully aware of the eXciting things in my life.
But there are so many things to be excited about! And I couldn't come up with a good X word.
Kate Messner mentioned me on her blog, I participated in an amazing agent/author panel on Saturday at NESCBWI, and I met my agent last weekend for the first time.
Also have I mentioned that I'm the co chair of the NESCBWI Regional Conference in 2013???? Joyce Shor Johnson asked me to serve with her, and I'm honored to accept. (Okay, who wants to volunteer? We need you!)
I'm back at my computer today, outlining a nonfiction project, trying to generate word count for my novel, and unpack at the same time. But blissfully aware of the eXciting things in my life.
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| This is me with my agent (Vickie Motter), and Chris Brodien-Jones & her agent Stephen Fraser, and Kate Messner & her agent Jennifer Laughren |
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
U is for Ummmm
I had the good fortune to see Lois Lowry, Jackie Davies, Kathryn Lasky, and Bill Thomson back in the fall of 2011 at an SCBWI New England event (I blogged about it here).
One of the take-aways I got was that NONE of these four creative people believe that writer's block exists. At least it doesn't for them. As professionals, they talked about just sitting down and getting on with it. Or as Jane Yolen says, Butt in Chair, Hands on Keyboard.
No "ums" "wells" or "buts" about it. No excuses. Just sit down and get on with it.
I just wish I had a picture--people, never go anywhere without your camera. Or at least, take a picture with your fuzzy camera-phone. Duh.
Theresa Milstein also blogged about this event back in October...she has pictures. :)
So, what are you waiting for? Get on with it!
One of the take-aways I got was that NONE of these four creative people believe that writer's block exists. At least it doesn't for them. As professionals, they talked about just sitting down and getting on with it. Or as Jane Yolen says, Butt in Chair, Hands on Keyboard.
No "ums" "wells" or "buts" about it. No excuses. Just sit down and get on with it.
I just wish I had a picture--people, never go anywhere without your camera. Or at least, take a picture with your fuzzy camera-phone. Duh.
Theresa Milstein also blogged about this event back in October...she has pictures. :)
So, what are you waiting for? Get on with it!
Monday, April 23, 2012
T is for Tortoise
Let's face it, sometimes writing a novel (or creating anything, really) can feel like this:
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| Thanks to http://www.tortoisecentre.co.uk/ for the great picture |
Slow and steady wins the race.
Fifteen minutes. And you'll reach the finish line.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
S is for School Visits
I've had the opportunity to do several in my home town. For the most part, I talk about my nonfiction, but fiction always creeps in a little.
My favorite part is when kids tell me they've read my books. Earlier this month, a friend from book club told me her son picked up one of my books at the library and was excited to report that he'd met me at school.
They ask funny and great questions. How old are you? How long have you been writing? Do you write about your pets? Is your daughter in any of your books?
Before my first visit a year ago, I spent a lot of time prepping. This is a great resource to help you make an outline and plan for your visit. School Visit Experts
If you're prepared, there's no reason to be nervous. And the kids are really forgiving, if you falter. Think about the size group you feel most comfortable with--one classroom? more than one in the library? larger assembly in the gym? I'd suggest starting small, and then moving to the larger format.
This summer, I've got a weekly writers club for kids and a library visit in another town. I'm excited to be able to talk to kids about writing!
My favorite part is when kids tell me they've read my books. Earlier this month, a friend from book club told me her son picked up one of my books at the library and was excited to report that he'd met me at school.
They ask funny and great questions. How old are you? How long have you been writing? Do you write about your pets? Is your daughter in any of your books?
Before my first visit a year ago, I spent a lot of time prepping. This is a great resource to help you make an outline and plan for your visit. School Visit Experts
If you're prepared, there's no reason to be nervous. And the kids are really forgiving, if you falter. Think about the size group you feel most comfortable with--one classroom? more than one in the library? larger assembly in the gym? I'd suggest starting small, and then moving to the larger format.
This summer, I've got a weekly writers club for kids and a library visit in another town. I'm excited to be able to talk to kids about writing!
Friday, April 20, 2012
R is for Ron Weasley
Just because, I'm a Ron girl.
Seriously, how much better can it get? Ron Weasley, golfing. I may or may not have a character with red hair and a British accent in my YA novel...
Seriously, how much better can it get? Ron Weasley, golfing. I may or may not have a character with red hair and a British accent in my YA novel...
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Q is for Quitting
Don't.
Unless, of course you want to.
But, to me, as long as you're enjoying the writing, the creating, the process. You're making progress. Keep on keeping on.
Actually, the venerable Miss Snark's First Victim, had a great post about quitting or not quitting back on April 5. Check it out here.
I've also blogged not so famously on Literary Rambles about not throwing in the towel...
Not that we haven't all thought about it once or twice.
Unless, of course you want to.
But, to me, as long as you're enjoying the writing, the creating, the process. You're making progress. Keep on keeping on.
Actually, the venerable Miss Snark's First Victim, had a great post about quitting or not quitting back on April 5. Check it out here.
I've also blogged not so famously on Literary Rambles about not throwing in the towel...
Not that we haven't all thought about it once or twice.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
P is for Poetry
According to www.poets.org April is National Poetry Month.
So in honor of my teen-self, who wrote poetry almost before she wrote anything else, I'd like to share the following. Go easy on the 16 year old girl who wrote this. At the time, I was proud that it was accepted for publication in the National Poetry Association's "On the Threshold of a Dream" (so excited that it's noted in pen below the hand-written entry), but I now know that that publication was a vanity press. I admit it; I fell for it.
You know those frigid days in January? The ones with the brilliant blue cloudless sky? Without further ado...
Jason Days
From the window he looks tender and warm;
and I imagine his arms around me.
But when I run outside his eyes transform;
And the coldness all but blinds me.
How can he look so warm and bright
yet be so bitter cold?
Inside his heart there is no light,
Though his surface glitters gold.
His face glows like the sun of June,
yet January hides in his eyes;
And if you look into the afternoon,
You're trapped before you realize.
The cold wind blows, yet the sun shines on,
until he passes by;
Seasons change and when he's gone,
wake up to warm July.
Teenage me would be mortified that I shared this. Jason was a gorgeous, hot boy who never spoke to me. And whom I crushed on in a very unhealthy manner for four years of high school. Disclaimer: I did not make a lot of effort to speak to him, and to his defense, he probably never had a clue I existed.
So in honor of my teen-self, who wrote poetry almost before she wrote anything else, I'd like to share the following. Go easy on the 16 year old girl who wrote this. At the time, I was proud that it was accepted for publication in the National Poetry Association's "On the Threshold of a Dream" (so excited that it's noted in pen below the hand-written entry), but I now know that that publication was a vanity press. I admit it; I fell for it.
You know those frigid days in January? The ones with the brilliant blue cloudless sky? Without further ado...
Jason Days
From the window he looks tender and warm;
and I imagine his arms around me.
But when I run outside his eyes transform;
And the coldness all but blinds me.
How can he look so warm and bright
yet be so bitter cold?
Inside his heart there is no light,
Though his surface glitters gold.
His face glows like the sun of June,
yet January hides in his eyes;
And if you look into the afternoon,
You're trapped before you realize.
The cold wind blows, yet the sun shines on,
until he passes by;
Seasons change and when he's gone,
wake up to warm July.
Teenage me would be mortified that I shared this. Jason was a gorgeous, hot boy who never spoke to me. And whom I crushed on in a very unhealthy manner for four years of high school. Disclaimer: I did not make a lot of effort to speak to him, and to his defense, he probably never had a clue I existed.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
O is for Outlining
I cringe when I hear this word. It's not my favorite part of writing.
It's a necessary part of my contract work. Every work-for-hire assignment requires an outline, just to make sure your vision and your editor's vision are in the same stratosphere.
I've recently done a bit more outlining for fiction. I just completed my most comprehensive outline for a novel ever. Literally, at least one (more often two) paragraphs about each chapter. It's almost 10 pages long. This is a feat for me, even though for some of you plotters it may not sound like a big deal.
I'm hoping this will make for an easy road map for my rewrite. Yes, I'm rewriting my novel. Hopefully it won't take five years. I'm aiming for mid-summer. And I hope my outline will help.
Do you outline?
It's a necessary part of my contract work. Every work-for-hire assignment requires an outline, just to make sure your vision and your editor's vision are in the same stratosphere.
I've recently done a bit more outlining for fiction. I just completed my most comprehensive outline for a novel ever. Literally, at least one (more often two) paragraphs about each chapter. It's almost 10 pages long. This is a feat for me, even though for some of you plotters it may not sound like a big deal.
I'm hoping this will make for an easy road map for my rewrite. Yes, I'm rewriting my novel. Hopefully it won't take five years. I'm aiming for mid-summer. And I hope my outline will help.
Do you outline?
Monday, April 16, 2012
N is for NESCBWI
Where some of my favorite people, favorite authors, and best times as a writer co-exist. The Society for Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators (New England).
I look forward to this conference every year--and it's only five day away. Lunch with my agent. Light bulbs going off in my head about my writing. Chatting late into the night with friends. Hobnobbing with industry professionals.
And this year, for the first time, I'm faculty. I still can't quite believe it. I'm sitting on a panel with my agent, and two other authors and their agents on April 21. We'll be talking about agent/author relationships. I'm also leading a special interest group on work-for-hire. This spring, I've been coordinating the Submission Strategy Consultations. Next year, I've been tapped for an even bigger responsibility--I'll make that announcement after the conference.
If you've never been to a conference, I highly recommend it. And if you're going to NESCBWI...find me and say 'hi'!
I look forward to this conference every year--and it's only five day away. Lunch with my agent. Light bulbs going off in my head about my writing. Chatting late into the night with friends. Hobnobbing with industry professionals.
And this year, for the first time, I'm faculty. I still can't quite believe it. I'm sitting on a panel with my agent, and two other authors and their agents on April 21. We'll be talking about agent/author relationships. I'm also leading a special interest group on work-for-hire. This spring, I've been coordinating the Submission Strategy Consultations. Next year, I've been tapped for an even bigger responsibility--I'll make that announcement after the conference.
If you've never been to a conference, I highly recommend it. And if you're going to NESCBWI...find me and say 'hi'!
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| from the 2011 NESCBWI conference in Fitchburg, MA |
Saturday, April 14, 2012
M is for Meeting My Agent
Can I just squee a little? I mean, really?I'm meeting my agent, Vickie Motter, in less than one week. We're having lunch on Friday, April 21.
Remind me not to get the spaghetti...
Honestly, I can't wait.
Friday, April 13, 2012
L is for Limb
As in, going out on one.
Seriously, when I googled "limb" I got some really interesting hits. There's a rock band name Limb. Who knew? Lots of missing limbs. Some really horribly images. Shirley MacLaine has a book called Out on a Limb.
But all I was thinking about was taking a chance. Going out on a limb. Writing Dangerously. Going outside your comfort zone.
Happy Friday the 13th!
Seriously, when I googled "limb" I got some really interesting hits. There's a rock band name Limb. Who knew? Lots of missing limbs. Some really horribly images. Shirley MacLaine has a book called Out on a Limb.
But all I was thinking about was taking a chance. Going out on a limb. Writing Dangerously. Going outside your comfort zone.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
K is for Kris
So what do you do when you see a bottle of wine with your name on it. Literally. You take a picture of it, naturally.
And if I ever sell a book, I'm buying a bottle for myself and sending one to my agent.
And if I ever sell a book, I'm buying a bottle for myself and sending one to my agent.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
J is for Job
I'm happy to say I have one. Well, several.
I write grants and coordinate corporate training for a local community college. I'm a mom, cook, chauffeur, etc. And I'm a writer.
I'm lucky. I get paid to write. I'm fortunate enough to have eight nonfiction books under my belt, with four more contracted works in progress. Being paid makes it a real job. And I'm very appreciative of the opportunities I've been given.
As I struggle to make a go of my fiction, I consistently feel blessed to have had the chance to see my name on the cover of a book. It's given me an infinitely stronger appreciation for the work that goes into the backside of the production. And that much more desire to see my name on the cover of my novel.
I write grants and coordinate corporate training for a local community college. I'm a mom, cook, chauffeur, etc. And I'm a writer.
I'm lucky. I get paid to write. I'm fortunate enough to have eight nonfiction books under my belt, with four more contracted works in progress. Being paid makes it a real job. And I'm very appreciative of the opportunities I've been given.
As I struggle to make a go of my fiction, I consistently feel blessed to have had the chance to see my name on the cover of a book. It's given me an infinitely stronger appreciation for the work that goes into the backside of the production. And that much more desire to see my name on the cover of my novel.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
I is for Image
What's so important about image or brand?
Well, if you're putting yourself out in the world...or your book, or your art, or whatever...it's very important. Do people see you as an expert on the topic you've written about? Or are you more the creative free-spirit?
Wikipedia says that "Proper branding can result in higher sales of not only one product, but on other products associated with that brand. For example, if a customer loves Pillsbury biscuits and trust the brand, he or she is more likely to try other products offered by the company such as chocolate chip cookies."
So basically if people like you, your first book, your brand...they'll continue to seek you out. Right now, my brand is nonfiction children's books for the elementary library market. I'm hoping my brand will someday morph into sweet young adult and middle grade fiction.
Hopefully readers will trust my writing, and my style of nonfiction and turn that into love for my fiction.
What's your brand?
image originally from http://empoweredonlineentrepreneurs.com/entrepreneurial-mindset/what-is-your-personal-brand/
Well, if you're putting yourself out in the world...or your book, or your art, or whatever...it's very important. Do people see you as an expert on the topic you've written about? Or are you more the creative free-spirit?
Wikipedia says that "Proper branding can result in higher sales of not only one product, but on other products associated with that brand. For example, if a customer loves Pillsbury biscuits and trust the brand, he or she is more likely to try other products offered by the company such as chocolate chip cookies."
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Hopefully readers will trust my writing, and my style of nonfiction and turn that into love for my fiction.
What's your brand?
image originally from http://empoweredonlineentrepreneurs.com/entrepreneurial-mindset/what-is-your-personal-brand/
Monday, April 9, 2012
H is for Horizontal
But not the way you think...
We've been talking about writing dangerously, and while I'm not ready to go THERE yet with my characters, I did throw them in some mud.
Literally. Well...Literarally, anyway.
They've got a golf cart stuck in a mud pit on a golf course. And one of them falls in. And the other one tries to help...And chaos ensues...and maybe a little stirring of something something...
And I haven't been so excited about a scene in a long time.
What curve balls have you thrown at your characters lately?
We've been talking about writing dangerously, and while I'm not ready to go THERE yet with my characters, I did throw them in some mud.
Literally. Well...Literarally, anyway.
They've got a golf cart stuck in a mud pit on a golf course. And one of them falls in. And the other one tries to help...And chaos ensues...and maybe a little stirring of something something...
And I haven't been so excited about a scene in a long time.
What curve balls have you thrown at your characters lately?
Saturday, April 7, 2012
G is for Gay Parents in YA
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Kicking off on May 28 and running through June 1, we've got a number of bloggers and authors who will be joining us. Look for more information as we get closer. In the meantime, for a suggested reading list click here or on the tab at the top of my banner.
Friday, April 6, 2012
F is for Fantasy
Growing up, some of my favorite books were fantasy. The Last Unicorn by Peter Beagle and The Sword of Shanara by Terry Brooks were two I loved. Also, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle.
Does fantasy exist today in YA? Has it split into paranormal, dystopian, and time travel? I feel like fantasy is alive and well in Middle Grade, but not as much in YA. Or am I completely off base?
What are your favorite current fantasy books?
Does fantasy exist today in YA? Has it split into paranormal, dystopian, and time travel? I feel like fantasy is alive and well in Middle Grade, but not as much in YA. Or am I completely off base?
What are your favorite current fantasy books?
Thursday, April 5, 2012
E is for Elevator Pitch
This is a rerun post from March 9, 2012
***
Or log line.
Or pitch line.
Or whatever the heck you want to call it.
Yesterday, for the first time in a very long time, someone asked me what my novel is about. I stalled. I stammered. And finally I blurted out..."it's about a girl who plays golf."
Really, Kris? After all this time? And that's the best you can come up with?
The NE-SCBWI conference is in 40 days (now about 18 days). I really need to be able to describe my novel better than that. Yes, I have an agent. No, I'm not querying. But it's vital that I can describe my book better than that! Because, people WILL ask.
Back in 2010, I won an agent pitch contest with the following:
Yeah, that rocks. But it's hard to say to someone out loud. It's great written pitch. It worked great in queries, but not so much in person.
I'm thinking about:
Kate Anderson has to win a local golf tournament to save her parents failing golf course. Along the way, there are blow torches, British boys, and kissing.
Of course, I've got nothing for the middle grade novel. Best start working on that one...
Do you have an elevator pitch?
***
Or log line.
Or pitch line.
Or whatever the heck you want to call it.
Yesterday, for the first time in a very long time, someone asked me what my novel is about. I stalled. I stammered. And finally I blurted out..."it's about a girl who plays golf."
Really, Kris? After all this time? And that's the best you can come up with?
The NE-SCBWI conference is in 40 days (now about 18 days). I really need to be able to describe my novel better than that. Yes, I have an agent. No, I'm not querying. But it's vital that I can describe my book better than that! Because, people WILL ask.
Back in 2010, I won an agent pitch contest with the following:
With the family golf course on the verge of bankruptcy, Kate Anderson decides she's going to be the first girl to win the Junior State Championship to draw the crowds back, but her plans are derailed when her best friend and crush is accused of vandalizing the course with a blowtorch.
Yeah, that rocks. But it's hard to say to someone out loud. It's great written pitch. It worked great in queries, but not so much in person.
I'm thinking about:
Kate Anderson has to win a local golf tournament to save her parents failing golf course. Along the way, there are blow torches, British boys, and kissing.
Of course, I've got nothing for the middle grade novel. Best start working on that one...
Do you have an elevator pitch?
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