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I got a fun gift in my stocking last Christmas.  Well, I thought it was fun but then again, I am a dorky writer.  The gift was, "Rory's Story Cubes" with the tag line of, "Let Your Imagination Roll Wild".  I was so excited, I wanted to use them RIGHT away, but my husband pushed me back into my chair and said, "Not now honey, no one else wants to play."

I poured over the short list of directions:
1) Roll cubes
2) Pick an image that will be your starting point
3) Begin with "Once upon a time..." make up a story that somehow links all 9 cubes.

You can also use a theme first (my summer vacation, worst trip ever) roll the dice and then make up your story.  You can play in a group, the possibilities are endless!

I like using them for my 15 minute-a-day writing prompt.  Roll 'em and write for 15 minutes, linking the 9 items together. 

The pictures are fairly generic.  As you can see - there are things like a bridge over water, a key, an apple, and I am not really sure what that is behind the little kid (bottom left).  You could the sleeping face as just that, asleep.  Or, it could be snoring or napping etc.  The apple could be fruit, or a poison apple, see what I mean.

Have you used these cubes?  Or do you have another writing prompt tool?  I would love to hear about it.

I have a new FAVORITE children's picture book, "Russel the Sheep" by Rob Scotton.  One look at the cover and I was hooked.  Russell, is a sheep who can't fall asleep.  He thinks he's too hot, then he thinks he's too cold.  He tries to curl up with a comfy "pillow",  he counts the stars.  On and on Russell goes.  I don't want to give away the ending!

Rob Scotton also illustrated this lovely book with humorous pictures.  One of my favorite illustrations is the sheep getting ready for bed.  One sheep has a teddy bear, one has a cup of warm milk (or maybe cocoa), one is brushing his teeth and the last one is asleep with his teeth in a glass.  The sheep with the teeth in the glass keeps showing up - it's quite funny.  Rob is also the writer/illustrator of the Splat the Cat series.

I attended my first "live" critique group a few weeks ago. I use the word “live” since in the past I have only used on-line critique groups or swapped via e-mail.


I have to say I found the in person, real live group much more helpful. We all gave honest critiques and helpful feedback of each other’s manuscripts (at least I hope we all did). I joined the critique group not only to see how my writing compared to others, if my plot flowed, etc. However, I joined so I wouldn’t be living in my little writers shell, hunched over my laptop keeping more stories to myself. After all, sharing my writing will prove that I am a terrible writer and that everything I write is pure crap…right. Isn’t that what all writers think?

I was horrified when I received my first professional critique. It came back with red writing all over it, which reminded me of seventh grade essays; I shoved the manuscript back into its folder and shut it up in a drawer. I said to myself, never again…I will never again share. I realize that the only way I am going to grow and become a better writer is by sharing. I have to share with professional writers, not my family who will say they love my work (even if it stinks). I am chalking that first manuscript up to the “shitty first draft” as Anne LaMott calls it. That “shitty first draft” is now out of the drawer, I am rewriting it, keeping true to my character, and myself – I am just writing her story.

As for the critique group? They gave me some simple ideas (things I should have known) to tighten up my story. I have to bring it back next time – and it HAS to be better!

By the way if you are looking for some help on your young adult or middle grade novel you need to check out "Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies" by Deborah Halverson.   If you haven't already read "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamott - add it to your reading list.

As a children's picture book writer I just couldn't resist this book!  A simple concept but so much fun for the kids - Press Here by Herve Tullet published by Chronicle Books.  This is a hands on book that will get children interested in reading and parents wanting to read to their kids. 

I am a little embarrassed to add this to my Goodreads.com account.  But, there it will sit next to Sheep in a Jeep,If You Give a Moose a Muffin and my all time favorite, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish!

Thank you Chronicle for another great children's book!

DearEditor.com is celebrating the release of "Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies" with a 7 day virtual book launch, from June 29th to July 5th.  Lots of FREEBIES:  First chapter critique, free downloads, book excerpts and a free full manuscript edit. 

I have been waiting to get my copy of this book ever since I learned about it at a SCBWI Intensive Revision Retreat - where I got to attend several classes led by the book's author Deborah Halverson.  Deborah is also the brains behind DearEditor.com.

"Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies" includes: tips for targeting an audience,  a chapter on self-marketing, techniques and exercises to shape plot, create teen-friendly characters, sidebars by 13 National Book Award winners and finalists, Newbery medalists and honorees, and other award-winning luminaries, self-editing tools,  insider tips for finding the right agent and/or editor, creating a stand-out submission package and much, much more.

I myself am looking for the tips on targeting an audience and self-editing tools.  I wonder if there is a chapter on how to write without using vampires or werewolves in the plot? 

I urge you to join DearEditor.com.  Deborah has wonderful and insightful blog postings.  You can also post your own questions to the editor!  Wow! 

I just knocked another book off my self-imposed reading list, “When You Reach Me” by Rebecca Stead. I thoroughly enjoyed this young adult novel, a refreshing change from the "Twighlight" and "Hunger Games" series. Rebecca managed to capture my interest from the beginning when Miranda’s mother received a postcard announcing she’s made it as a contestant on the $20,000 Pyramid. Without spoiling the story for you, I will just say that Miranda received a strange note on a tiny slip of paper that in part read, “I am coming to save your friend’s life, and my own. I ask two favors. First, you must write me a letter…” Rebecca cleverly titled each chapter similar to the clues of the winner’s circle portion of $20,000 Pyramid and managed to entwine a science fiction story into the everyday life of young Miranda.



Even though this book is for young adult readers, I found that I was unable to put this book down. I enjoyed the fresh writing style – minus the teenage angst. I was simply a good book, and I highly recommend it.

If you have any young adult recommendations I would love to know what they are.

Well, joy of joys - I finally found a job.  Of course, the positive effect is we now have more income coming in to our house.  It also means that I am learning to juggle my time -- learning what is most important to me.  You'd think I'd have less time to write, but, I am finding that since I have such a short dedicated time to write, I am much more productive.I am less apt to get distracted by dirty dishes, my e-mail or the dog barking to go out.  I've gotten rid of time wasters (TV -- no AMERICAN IDOL this year).

I haven't figured out yet, a good goal to set for myself as far as number of words to write.  I figure at this point at least dedicating the time and actually sitting at my laptop and writing for a few hours, is the best goal I can have.

I have also put myself on a strict reading regimen, akin to a High School summer reading list.  I've made myself a list of the top picks (according to YALSA last two weeks I've read two books "Split" by S. Avasthi, and "The Orange Houses" by Paul Griffin.  Both books, clearly different voices, different settings - but both strong literary works.    My list right now has 20 books, as I cross one off, I add another.
Only time will tell...

I have a new found helpful guidebook, "Writing Picture Books, A Hands-On Guide from Story Creation to Publication" by Ann Whitford Paul. Let me first start by saying that I have read quite a few of these so-called "You Can Write" books and the "Become a Children's Book Writer in a Day." books. Although these books are helpful in getting a writer to make sure they are on the right path, nothing can substitute for a creative mind. Sometimes, though we need a little help. Our stories may sound great in our head, or a story may sound great as we recite it to our own children, but the publishing industry is changing. As the costs of books go up the attention span of children and their parent's goes down a picture book has to grab within the first few seconds. No matter how short or long a story is – it has to have a beginning, middle and end, you have to hook your reader in the first sentence, and you have to have some sort of plot. Yes, even "Good Night Moon" had a plot.
I took an intensive children's book writing and illustrating class and Ann Whitford Paul's book was required reading. I learned a lot from Ms. Paul's book and some things I had already read were re-instilled into my thick skull. Here are a few items I took away.
1) Children have short attention spans – your story must be focused (one aspect of one thing)
2) Everything is new to children
3) Children care deeply
The book starts by helping you start your manuscript. For example, Ms. Paul helps you build the frame for your story, structure your story, and hold your story together and basic plotting. After following her guidelines, on a story I had already written, I rewrote again and again until I had a story with an opening that would grab any reader, a succession of events that pushes the reader to turn the page and an ending where the main character's problem is solved. I tested my manuscript using several of Ms. Paul's suggestions (act 1, 2 and 3 for example) and found that I passed several tests.

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