Why Is the Brown Bear Blue?

©Bill Boudreau

Weekly Gems

It's that time again to share a weeks' worth of gems! 

Challenges: You know that I’m always up for a challenge.

• For those of you who to like write poetry for children check this out. Poetry Tournament:  Madness! Writing 126 New Children’s Poems in 21 Days
• For those of you who want to try to write a chapter book why not join the Chapter Book Challenge.

Writing:

• Need some help in writing your next book? Check out Alison’s post:  Researching the Genre You Want to Write.
• Is your blog getting in the way of your writing? Check out this post to help you better manage your blog: Blogging Efficiently

Agents:

• Mingling With Agents: How to Do It Right

In other news. I was tagged in The Book Tag Event by the lovely lady over at The Desert Rocks, but since I’m short on time these days I’m going to bend the rules a little.

The rules are:

1. You must post the rules!

2. Answer the questions and then create eleven new questions to ask the people you’ve tagged.

3. Tag eleven people and link to them.

4. Let them know you’ve tagged them.

I’m going to answer the questions that I’ve been asked below and then I’m going to tag you, my readers, and ask you 11 questions that you can answer in the comment section below (answer whatever questions you would like to answer). This way I can get to know you just a little bit better.

Questions to me:

1. Have you written a book? Yes. A MG fantasy novel as well as a few picture books. Now I’m working on getting them published.

2. Were you a participant in the famous Underwear Challenge of 2011? Nope.

3. What is your favorite children’s book? Hmm…How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell and Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems. 

4. Tell us about the last time you went to the library. Alone or with someone else? Sadly, I don’t even remember the last time I went to the library.

5. Do you prefer the Internet for research? Yes.

6. What’s your favorite flower? The rose (I grew my own roses for my wedding). I know it’s a bit cliché, but my husband, before we were married, brought me orange, green, and purple roses the first time he met my mother. I’d never seen roses in that colour before and I fall in love with him and the roses that day. 

7. Do you have a distaste for used cook books? No, but most of the recipes I use I get off the Internet.

8. Have you ever used a book to repair a bed or to hold up the leg of a table? No! I would probably have to stop being friends with someone if I ever saw them do this! I’m not joking!

9. If you could enter a certain scene in a book, which one would it be? I would enter the scene where the Pigeon is on the verge of crying because you, the reader, won’t let him drive the bus.  I would help him drive the bus!

10. What book is on your nightstand now? Young Sherlock Holmes. I love Sherlock Holmes!

11. Do you read to your pet? No, but I talk to my pets.

Questions to you:

1. Have you written a book? (Yes, I borrowed this question but it’s a good question!)

2. Do you write inside your books? (if your answer is ‘yes’ just so you know, I’m shaking my fist at you).

3. E-book or paper back?

4. Coffee or tea?

5. Pepsi or Coke?

6. Do you love Sherlock Holmes? (If your answer is 'no' we can no longer be friends).

7. What kind of stuff do you love to write?

8. Who was your favourite childhood hero?

9. Tell me a word you love.

10. Tell me a word you hate.

11. Tell me a story…

If you liked this post please let others know. Join me tomorrow as I plan to entertain you with a story. 

How to Fix a Picture Book

Last week I wrote a post Let the Pigeon Teach You a Thing or Two About Writing Picture Books, in which I "copied" Mo Willems' book. After this exercise I quickly realized what was wrong with my own picture book.

•      There was nothing at stake for the main character.
•      There wasn’t much tension.
•          There wasn’t much emotion.
•      The order of the scenes did not work together. 

Editing my story on the computer screen wasn't working so I attempted to create a dummy. What is a dummy? According to Sue Bradford Edwards “a dummy is a mock-up of the actual picture book.” (1) Creating a dummy allows you too see where text and illustrations will go.  It lets you see and feel what the story will look like in book format. What happens when the dummy isn’t working for you? I say cut the story up!

1. Enlarge the text and print it out.

2. Cut it up and lay it out (I used a bulletin board). 

3.  Rearrange the sentences so there is an order to them. 

4. Whip out some handy post-its and use them to insert text.

5. Read the story out loud.

6. Continue to add or take text away.

7. Read story out loud, again.

8. Continue to add or take text away until you are satisfied. 

9. Take picture a of your hard work and type out your new story. 

10. Print out your story and revise using a highlighter.  

11. Create a one sentence pitch.

12. Submit story to critique group. 

By the time I was finished half my original story was gone. My story went from 137 words to 241 words. I now have a beginning, middle, end. My protagonist has a reason for his actions. I even managed to introduce humour and tension into my story. Now all I need to do is submit it to my critique group!

If you liked this posted please let others know. I'll be back on Thursday to share a weeks worth of helpful links. 

1. Edwards. Storyboarding.  2010 Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market.

Bad Kitty vs. the Chapter Book

As some of you know I’ve been participating in the 12x12 in 2012 challenge, in which I’m to write a new picture book every month. Last week I wrote about “copying” a picture book to help you in your own picture book writing. What happens when the idea floating around in your head doesn’t want to be a picture book? So this week I’m looking at Bad Kitty vs. Uncle Murray by Nick Bruel, in an attempt to learn more about chapter books.

What is a chapter book? According to AWAI “in children’s literature, it refers to a book somewhat beyond the easy reader but not as advanced as a full-fledged middle-grade novel.” Hmm…doesn’t help much, so I suppose I will give you a break down of Bad Kitty vs. Uncle Murray.

Chapter 1: Pussycat Paradise - 30 pgs

Kitty’s perfect world is shattered when Uncle Murray comes to stay.  – Inciting incident.

Kitty’s family promises a surprise when they return. – Clever foreshadowing.

The first fun fact is introduced: Why some cats are afraid of people.

Chapter 2: Hide!  - 14 pgs

A serious of hilarious happenings in which the Kitty hides from Uncle Murray, but is accidentally discovered each time. – Conflict and suspense is building.

Chapter 3: The Kitty Diaries - 12 pgs

The Kitty is in crisis and is slowly having an emotional breakdown.  – All is lost so it seems.

Chapter 4: Uncle Murray Strikes Back - 22 pgs

Uncle Murray attempts to make nice with Kitty and all seems well until Uncle Murray starts vacuuming.  
– Kitty breaks free from her emotional state, but is quickly thrown back into a state of unease. Conflict continues to build.

Second fun fact: Why cats are afraid of vacuums.

Chapter 5: Catch that Kitty - 12 pgs

Kitty runs away and the dog turns into a superhero. – Rising action moving towards the climax.

Chapter 6: Kitties to the Rescue – 32 pgs.

Uncle Murray catches Kitty, but is attacked by a hoard of cats and one superhero dog.  – Climax

Chapter 7: Kitty on her Own – 16 pgs.

Uncle Murray has had enough and he storms out leaving Kitty alone. But he returns as he has promised to take care of Kitty while its owners are away. Kitty is now somewhat willing to accept Uncle Murray. All seems good.  – The world is returned to normal so it seems…

The third and final fact: Why cats are afraid to be alone.

Epilogue – 9 pgs. 

The house is a wreck. The audience is left to imagine what happened during the week, but it’s doubtful that Uncle Murray will ever catsit again. 


We finally see what the surprise is that was mentioned at the beginning of the book - the new baby, which also leads into his next book Bad Kitty Meets the Baby and we now know that the Kitty’s world will never truly be the same.  

Appendix: A selection of phobias.

Note: You may have noticed that some of the chapters are quite long. Typically chapters in a chapter book are short, but Bruel uses a lot of pictures so the story moves along quite quickly.  Perhaps he could have made chapter 1, 4 and 6 shorter. Chapter books are usually around 8 to 10 chapters and under 10, 000 words according to the AWAI.

What did Nick Bruel do right in his book?

1. He used humour – At one point I was laughing so hard that I was crying.
2. There is an overarching theme of being scared. Children and adults can relate to being scared.
3. His story has a beginning, middle, and end. I know you probably hear this all the time, but its important that your story has a beginning, middle, and end!
4. The appendix in the back lets the child learn more about phobias. Bruel explains “…that the person who has the phobia really has nothing to fear,” but “…phobias are very common and nothing to be ashamed of.”  He does this without talking down or preaching to the child ( a big no-no in any kind of writing).
5. His illustrations are perfect -  All the illustrations are in black and white, but it works. There is a delicate a balance between the words and the pictures. He doesn’t over tell the story.
6. He uses popculture references – A child might not get the references, but an adult most certainty would.  A child can read this story by herself, but a parent would likely enjoy reading this book alongside her child.
7. His epilogue leads into his next story. – If you are planning on writing a series then including a lead into the next story is smart as it leaves the reader wanting more.
8. He includes fun facts – The facts in his story are interesting and are beautifully blended into the story.  Surprisingly the facts don’t interrupt the flow of the story. Again he doesn’t talk down or preach to the audience.

Suzanne, over at Writing on the Sidewalk gave me the idea to summarize each chapter in one sentence. To learn more about chapter books head over to her blog.

To further your learning also check out Alison Hertz blog post on Researching the Genre You Want to Write. She will be following that post on how to create a outline for a chapter book or MG novel and just in time to take the Chapter Book Challenge.

 If you are thinking of writing a chapter book why not join a challenge! Head over to Chapter Book Challenge by clicking here. This is a great way to stay motivate and get the inspiration that you need to write your book! 

 If you liked this post please let others know. Join me tomorrow I'll be talking about book dummies. 

Photo Story: Pug in the Teapot Rhyme

I'm a little puggly, short and stout

Here is my bum

Here is my snout

When I get all wound up, hear me pout

Just open the door and let me out!

Can you spot what the Pug is protecting in this photo? 

If you like this post please let others know. Check out my other Princess and the Pug stories by clicking on the tab in the left-hand column. Tune in next Friday for another photo story. To see/hear an original version of I’m a Little Teapot click here.

More Blog Love

Last week Bill Kirk awarded me with my second Liebster Blog award and Pam Courtney on Monday, awarded me with my third Liebster award. So thank you! I stumbled upon Bill’s blog during a comment challenge and well I decided to join because he writes poetry and tells jokes, among other things. Pam Courtney is a fellow 12x12er  who has just started blogging. Please welcome her to the blogging world!

The Liebster award (a German word meaning favourite) is for those bloggers, like me, who have less than 200 followers. The award is designed to help bring new followers to my blog. Plus I get so share 5 things about myself and pass the award onto 5 deserving blogs! 

Here are five things about me…

1. I love theater. Phantom of the Opera blew me away.
2. Dramatic scenes makes me laugh (I laughed during Phantom of the Opera).
3.  I hate surprise parties, but like throwing them for other people.
4. I was a vegetarian for seven years.
5.  I’m obsessed with fairy tales. I hope to travel the fairy tale road in Germany one day.

The award goes to...

1. 1_Lovelife - I love her small stones. 
2. A Kitty Dreaming About Wings - She writes posts that make me think. 
3.  Bibliophilic Blather  - Flash Fiction Fridays as well as her other posts are fun to read. 
4. Writing, Running, & Diabetes - Her posts are interesting. 
5. Melissa Mead in Progress  - Her drawings are cool. 

Please stop by tomorrow and enjoy my new photo story - Pug the Teapot Rhyme

Totenkinder Case: The Verdict Is In!

For a week now the jury has been out deliberating. Did Totenkinder try to kill Hansel and Gretel? Hansel and Gretel claimed she enslaved them. The Wolf claims he saw her hurt them, but he only came forward after being offered a deal in his involvement in the kidnapping of Little Red Hiding Hood.

The jury is in...

As to the charge of attempted murder, two counts, we the jury, find the defendant not guilty.

As to the charge of aggravated child abuse, two counts, we the jury, find the defendant guilty.


There you have it. Totenkinder will be sentenced next week.


To read earlier posts from the Totenkinder case click on the links below:

• Totenkinder's Arrest - click here 
• Totenkinder: sweet old lady or cold hearted murder? - click here
• Closing Remarks - click here

If you liked this post please let others know. Join me on Thursday I'll be sharing a handful of cool blogs!