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By: LAURIE WALLMARK,
on 5/10/2014
A third choice is to write the outline and then throw it away as soon as you start writing.
http://www.adventuresinyapublishing.com/2014/04/craft-of-writing-why-outlines-work-for.html
By: Martha Alderson, M.A.,
on 5/10/2014
Sounds like the difference between those of us who jump right in and write and those who plan and pre-plot first -- pantser or plotter?
The moment words appear on the page, differences cease to exist -- all writers transcend time and space. Whether you're writing to escape your real life, to feel a sense of control over some aspect of your life, resolve bad feelings, define your beliefs, find meaning in some bad or sad or negative experience, share your passion, follow your heart writing becomes a Zen-like practice of calm and centering, balance and order, belief and trust, openness and heart.
In our fast-paced, crowded lives, one writer snatches waiting moments to connect to her writing while another methodically removes all interferences each for the express purpose of letting minds wander and daydream and of repetitiously writing one word after another.
Whatever best serves you, writing scenes at the same time in the same place every day or here and there and everywhere you can manage, keep going. Finish the draft you're writing all the way to the end. Then comes the fun part -- standing back from all those words and revising them into a satisfying and coherent story. That comes later. For now...
Today I write!
~~~~~
By: Molly Blaisdell,
on 5/10/2014
Hi, folks! Welcome to the blog! This month I am offering a series that shares some of the inside story of my book PLUMB CRAZY (Swoon Romance, June 2014). Consider following the link and giving it "a like" on Goodreads. Oh, it such a good feeling to launch a story into the world.
This week I'm going to focus on writing real stuff. Plumb Crazy is about everyday life -- real stuff. It uncovers my inward celebration "of joy comes in the morning" and my inward cry "O ME! O life!". Here's a little discussion that I hope you find helpful.
By: Tim Perkins,
on 5/10/2014
By: Cynthia Leitich Smith,
on 5/10/2014
Posted on 5/10/2014
Question: I have done quite a bit of research about sending a finished novel to publishers, agents, etc - but I am concerned about protecting my intellectual
Add a Comment.jpg?picon=1009)
By: James Gurney,
on 5/10/2014
By: Beth Kephart ,
on 5/10/2014
By: Elizabeth O. Dulemba,
on 5/10/2014
Today I welcome another agency mate (Erin Murphy Literary Agency), Janet Fox. Take it away Janet!
By: sengikiki sangangpuluh,
on 5/10/2014
As writers, we want to make our characters as unique and interesting as possible. One way to do this is to give your character a special skill or talent that sets him apart from other people. This might be something small, like having a green thumb or being good with animals, to a larger and more competitive talent like stock car racing or being an award-winning film producer.
When choosing a talent or skill, think about the personality of your character, his range of experiences and who his role models might have been. Some talents might be genetically imparted while others are created through exposure (such as a character talented at fixing watches from growing up in his father’s watch shop) or grow out of interest (archery, wakeboarding, or magic). Don’t be afraid to be creative and make sure the skill or talent is something that works with the scope of the story.
Courtesy of Nomadic Lass @ Creative Commons
Description: Having basic knowledge of physiology and the human body that enables one to administer first aid to the injured or sick in time of need.
Beneficial Strengths or Abilities: being good under pressure, having good recall
Character Traits Suited for this Skill or Talent: calm, confident, decisive, alert, perceptive, responsible, resourceful
Required Resources and Training: Some initial knowledge is required for a person to be adept at physically treating others. Basic knowledge of human physiology, medicines or herbs, life-preserving techniques, and injury treatment is necessary for someone to be able to aid others in the event of an emergency. In the modern day, formal training in the form of classes and course work supply this knowledge. In the past, much of the same information was imparted through apprenticeships and life experiences.
Associated Stereotypes and Perceptions: EMTs, paramedics, doctors, midwives, and nurses are most commonly recognized as being proficient in first aid. But other non-professionals are also associated with this skill: boy scouts, survivalists, lifeguards, forest rangers, etc.
Scenarios Where this Skill Might be Useful:
Resources for Further Information:
Common First Aid Topics and Treatments
Top 10 First Aid and Emergency Care Procedures
You can brainstorm other possible Skills and Talents your characters might have by checking out our FULL LIST of this Thesaurus Collection. And for more descriptive help for Setting, Symbolism, Character Traits, Physical Attributes, Emotions, Weather and more, check out our Thesaurus Collections page.
The post Talents and Skills Thesaurus Entry: Basic First Aid appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS.
By: sengikiki sangangpuluh,
on 5/10/2014
This is an enjoyable collection of funny poems--though they're not all funny--and the dogs tell us what we need to know about how they feel--including how much they miss us--and what they really think about our urge to dress them up like humans... I laughed and laughed! Except when I read a poem like Just a Head's Up... This is highly recommended, and I'm going to reread it soon. And, yes, it's great gift for people who love dogs, but don't understand them. Possibly you know someone like that...
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By: Kathy Temean,
on 5/9/2014
Denise Clemmensen has been an artist from the moment she tore open her first box of crayons. In fact she became a drawing maniac. She drew on everything. Her parents finally bought her a little table where her coloring passion could be unleashed a little less destructively. Being a very shy child during her school years, she kept her passion for art quite. Though, one time in fifth grade, while helping out on the class history mural, her fifth-grade teacher noticed she could draw. For the rest of the week her teacher asked her to work on the mural while the rest of the class studied math.
Artistically, Denise has worn many hats; she has done both fine and graphic art, and has even made handmade rag dolls. But, throughout her artistic journey, her love of children’s books has never wavered.
In 2011, Denise illustrated the award-wining picture book, “Just Because.” This is her first picture book and in 2013 it won the prestigious Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Award. And, in 2012 it won the Young Voices Award, The Mom’s Choice Gold Award, and was named a Book of the Year by Creative Child Magazine.
She has illustrated artwork for various traditional and Internet-based educational publishers, and produces illustrations and character designs for many private clients.
Denise lives in the San Fernando Valley, a suburb of Los Angeles, with her husband, and for the time being, her grown kids, grandkids, two dogs, two cats, and three fish!
Here is Denise explaining her process:
Sketch of the kids. Sometimes when I start a project I do character sketches. That way I can get to know and shape the different characters and their personalities. Here are three children from “Just Because” and their favorite toys.
Sketches of Mom and Dad. This is the rest of the family getting ready for breakfast. The family even has a fluffy dog.
Sketch of page 9-Dad holding the kids in a chair. Here is the finished sketch of the kids sitting on their dad’s lap that was used in the book “Just Because.” The white square is where the text will go. I always put in the text, so I can make sure that the words and the picture fit together well.
Light box. Once the sketch is finalized I transfer it on to watercolor paper by using a light box. My favorite watercolor paper is Canson 140lb cold press.
The start of painting. I use either acrylic matt or gouache paints.
The second picture of the painting. I paint in layers so I can build up the colors and add depth.
The final painting. After I finish painting I go in with colored pencils to help bring out the details.
All the paintings together. When I do a project that has more then one illustration I like to work on all the paintings at the same time. I rotate my time on each one so I can keep a constant color palette.
How long have you been interested in art?
All my life, I even remember as a small child having a drawing table in my bedroom. 
Did you study art in college?
Yes, I was a Fine Art major all through college.
Did you study to be a librarian?
No, being a librarian is something I just kind of fell in to. I was a stay-at-home mom for many years and when the time came that I needed to go back into the work force, a friend of mine, who was a library aide with the Los Angeles School District, suggested I might like it.
Before I was a mom I had been a graphic artist, but with the coming of the computer age, I no longer possessed the skills needed to compete in that market. So I have been a library aide for 14 years now and I really enjoy the job and the kids. Plus I am surrounded by children’s literature, how great is that?
What was the first painting or illustration that you did for money?
In my early twenties I tried selling my artwork at local craft shows. I did a bunch of pen and ink fantasy drawings. I think the first one I sold was of a baby unicorn.
What type of job did you do right after you graduated?
I never quite graduated from college. You know that old story. I was only taking a semester off, I meant to go back and finish, I only had a year left, but life got in the way. My first art job was as a graphic artist. When I took graphic art in college I really didn’t care for it, my heart was really in the fine arts. That quickly changed, I learned so much more on the job and it turned out that I really enjoyed being a graphic artist. By the way, I learned everything old school: T-squares, triangles, French curves, mechanical pens, rubdown type, and so on. It was right before the onset of computers.
What do you think influenced your artistic style?
I have always loved animated movies. I hate to admit it, but I think Disney had a lot of influence on me, and so did getting married and having a family. Before I met my husband, my artwork was always a little sad and dark.
When did you do your the first illustration for children?
While I was a stay-at-home mom, I still did some freelance illustration jobs here and there. I was hired to do some black and white line drawings for a science book for children.
How did that come about?
A friend of a friend knew the gentleman who was writing the book and knew that he was looking for someone to do some of the artwork. They introduced us.
When did you decide you wanted to illustrate a children’s book?
I think this is something I have always wanted to do, but in my early twenties I took an extension class, How to illustrate Children’s Books, through Cal State Northridge, and that cemented it.
How long did it take you to get your first picture book contract?
It took a long time to get the first book contract and then there was a fourteen year gap between “Aides: first facts for kids” and “Just Because.”
What was your first book that you illustrated?
My first book was an educational book “Aides: first Facts for kids” written by Linda Schwartz. All of the illustrations where done in pen and ink.
Was it a self-published book
No, the book was published by The Learning Works, Inc., a small publisher in Santa Barbara, Ca.
Are you open to illustrating a self-published book?
Yes, the second book I illustrated “Just Because” written by Amber Housey was self-published.
How did you get the contract to illustrate JUST BECAUSE?
The author found my illustrations through a website that I belong to. She then contacted the self-publishing house she was using and they in turn contacted me.
Have you worked with educational publishers?
Yes, I just recently did four illustrations that will be included in an educational textbook and a few years ago I did two eight-page booklets written for English learners.
How many children’s books have you illustrated?
To date, I have done four books, but only one is a traditional 32-page picture book.
Do you have any desire to write and illustrate your own book?
Yes, I have a few stories that I have been working on.
Have you done any illustrating for children’s magazines?
No, not yet, but I am hopeful.
Do you have an agent to represent you? If so how did you connect? If not, would you like one?
No not at this time. I did submit my portfolio to an agency once. They were very polite and helpful but were not interested. I might try again because having an agent does allow more doors to be open for your work to be seen. Though, I believe even if one does have an agent they should still self-promote.
What types of things do you do to find illustration work?
I have a website and a blog. I also advertise on a Children’s illustrators website and I send out post cards to publishers and editors. SCBWI has a spot on their website for illustrators to show their work. Last year, I also ran an ad in the Directory of Illustration.
What is your favorite medium to use?
I would have to say pen and ink, and colored pencil.
Has that changed over time?
Yes for me there has not been much demand these days for just pen and ink and colored pencil is very time consuming. In order to save time I started to use acrylic paints with the colored pencil (though I am not sure if any time is actually saved) and I have just recently started to explore painting in Photoshop.
Do you have a studio in your house?
For years my studio was the kitchen table, then I was able to set up a drawing table in the corner of my family room. Two years ago, one of my children moved out, and I was able to turn that room into my art studio.
What is the one thing in your studio that you could not live without?
My eraser.
Do you try to spend a specific amount of time working on your craft?
Yes, I look at it as another job. If I am not working on a project for someone I am working on something for self-promotion. I work everyday.
Do you take pictures or do any types of research before you start a project?
Yes, I have taken lots of photos and I do online and book research. Whenever I go on vacation somewhere I always end up taking photos of all the different plants I come across. Sometimes at home when I am working on a sketch, I will physically put myself in the character’s pose to see how it looks and feels. I even have a small mirror next to my drawing table to reference hands or facial expressions.
Do you think the Internet has opened doors for you?
Most definitely, it allows me to show my portfolio to more perspective clients than I could before.
Do you use Photoshop with your illustrations?
I have just started playing with Photoshop. I bought a Wacom Tablet a little while back and I have been experimenting with it ever since. It’s fun and I have put a few of my digital works up on my website and blog.
Do you own or have you used a Graphic Drawing Tablet in your illustrating?
I have just started using the Wacom tablet and for right now, I have just been scanning in my pencil sketches into Photoshop.
Do you have any career dreams that you want to fulfill?
I would like to illustrate a 32-page picture book from a traditional publisher and I also think it would be great fun to do the cover and inside drawings for a children’s chapter book.
What are you working on now?
At the moment, besides learning Photoshop and the Wacom tablet, I am busy finishing up some new illustration to add to my portfolio.
Do you have any material type tips you can share with us?
When I was working on “Just Because” I bought a light table and that was the best investment I ever made. It took one step out of the process of transferring the sketch on to the watercolor paper. I have found that anything that saves any time when working on a project is great, because deadlines are always so tight.
Any words of wisdom on how to become a successful writer or illustrator?
Never give up. Work hard. Keep learning and honing your skills, and most important illustrate what you love.
Thank you Denise for sharing your illustrations, journey, and process with us this week. We look forward to following your career, so please let us know about your new books and all of your future successes.
You can visit Denise and see her work at http://deniseclemmensen.blogspot.com/ Please take a minute to leave Denise a comment. I am sure she would love to hear from you and I would appreciate it, too. Thanks!
Talk tomorrow,
Kathy
By: Mary Nida Smith,
on 5/9/2014
 |
| A story of mine is inside waiting to be read. |
By: Debbie Ridpath Ohi,
on 5/9/2014
Part 1 (Prep, Angst, Anticipation) - Part 2 (Meeting Michael Ian Black, B&N event in NYC) - Part 3 (Simon & Schuster meet-and-greet) - Part 4 (Porter Square Books, James Patterson grant) - Part 5 (Northshire Books Saratoga, Division St. Elementary, final wrap-up)
I woke up on the last day of the book tour with mixed feelings. On the one hand, I looked forward to getting back home to Jeff and creative hermitmode. On the other hand, this was the LAST DAY of my FIRST BOOK TOUR. I vowed to make the most of it.
Goofing around just before the children arrived.
I checked out of the hotel and took a cab over to Northshire Books Saratoga (424 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 518-682-4200 / 855-339-5990). When researching the bookstore before the tour, I discovered that the 9,000-square-foot indie bookstore had opened last summer.
Image from AllOverAlbany.comThis was the second location for the Northshire Bookstore. The first opened in Manchester, Vermont.
I was excited to see my event listed in their calendar:
I enjoyed interviewing events and community outreach coordinator Rachel Person for my NAKED! blog. Rachel told me her position means "that I'm lucky enough to handle author events for the store and to find ways to work with other local organizations throughout our area. I'm also something of a magpie reader, which means I'm always drawn to the next bright shiny object, and will read in pretty much any genre."
Rachel also said that coming to work in a bookstore every day was so energizing, that it was really a great place to be. "And, as the events coordinator for a brand new indie (our store opened less than a year ago), I feel like I'm helping to bring something to my town that hasn't been here before - a year-round lineup of strong, exciting literary programming."
I asked Rachel why picture books are important, and she answered:
"As a reader, I feel that picture books can really bring out the best in writers and artists - creating books for such a young audience requires such care and precision. Every detail has to be just right. As a mom, I've loved watching my children discover the world through picture books. They pave the way to absolutely everything."
Model train in Northshire Bookstore Saratoga children's department.
I loved all the light and space at Northshire Bookstore Saratoga; the place is gorgeous.
Not only that, but the entire second floor is devoted to books for young people!
I arrived just before the store opened up, and it was great to meet Rachel Person face-to-face after exchanging so many e-mails.
Also really enjoyed meeting Marika McCoola:
Not only does Marika work as an indie bookseller, but she is also an author, illustrator and educator. Her debut graphic novel, BABA YAGA'S ASSISTANT, was acquired by Candlewick in 2013. BABA YAGA'S ASSISTANT follows the story of Masha, a teen raised on the Russian folktales her grandmother told her. When Masha finds an ad looking for Baba Yaga's Assistant, she ventures into the woods to apply. The graphic novel is edited by Deb Wayshak, illustrated by Emily Carroll, and is coming out in 2015.
Setting up for my presentation at Northshire was super-easy. I didn't need my projector because Rachel Person had an adaptor that enabled my MacBook Air to connect with their projection system. I loved their event venue!
Soon the children and their parents arrived. Because there were fewer kids than the previous day, I was able to interact with each one of them, including during the illustration workshop session.
Rachel Person was super-organized and made me feel so welcome. I had a chance to sign pre-ordered books (for the school I was visiting later that day) as well as after my Northshire visit. Look at the photo above: I was so impressed by the book display on my table! Rachel even put out copies of Tomo: Friendship Through Fiction, an anthology from Stone Bridge Press that contained my illustrated story for teens, "Kodoma."
And check out the choice of signing pens, whoa:
Rachel had a great "Get Your Geek On" pin and when she saw me admiring it, she found an extra one for me!
After I finished signing, Rachel and I picked up sandwiches at a nearby market and headed to Division St. Elementary School, where I talked to three kindergarten classes.
So much fun, and I was impressed by how well-behaved the students were. And SO VERY VERY CUTE. I had them help me do the reading by shouting out "Naked!" whenever I pointed to them. Wow, kindergarteners really love yelling that word. :-D
I talked to them about how Michael had written the story and I had illustrated it. They loved the picture of Michael consulting his cat. They were also fascinated by the whole process of creating a picture book, including the cover and jacket flaps.
I showed them the choices I gave Michael, and asked them which one they thought he chose:
They were delighted by the fact that Michael chose the one in which he looked the most NAKED. :-)
And then I did a drawing demo, using (for the first time ever), a SMART Board interactive whiteboard:
Wow, was it ever fun to use! Thanks so much to Rachel Person, by the way, who was my tech support. Not only did she keep the slideshow running smoothly (we used a Windows-formatted USB stick of slideshow images) and also controlled the SMART board "erase all" when I needed it.
I had volunteers come up and do a scribble on the whiteboard, then I used the students' suggestions to create some characters, and then (again, with their help) wrote a simple story starring the creatures we had created. LOVED their enthusiasm and eagerness in our creative collaboration process.
Afterward, Rachel and I had a chance to hang out at her house and eat our sandwiches before the cab came to pick me up. Loved her house -- so full of books and creativity! Her husband is Steve Sheinkin, who has written short stories, screenplays, comics, a graphic novel, textbooks, history books and more. You can find out more about Steve and his work at http://www.stevesheinkin.com.
Thanks again so much to Rachel, Northshire Bookstore and Division St. Elementary School for their hospitality and making me feel so welcome!
As I headed off to the airport in Albany to fly back home, I couldn't help but contrast how I was feeling at that moment to how I felt in the weeks before the book tour. Back then I was excited but very stressed about the public speaking, whether I was prepared enough, what to take with me in my carry-on luggage, travel details, etc.
On the way home, however, all I could think about was how wonderful it had been to share my experience with those young readers, and how utterly SINCERE they were in their reactions, their questions, their enthusiasm for the books that Michael had written and I had illustrated.
I took all that wonder and delight of those young readers and wrapped it around me like a blanket as I made my way back to Toronto; my heart was so full.
THANK YOU, SIMON & SCHUSTER CHILDREN'S.
Jay and I just returned from our East Coast book tour, which was a lot of fun. We spoke to thousands of 5th-8th graders all throughout RI, MA, CT.
Jay and I just returned from our East Coast book tour, which was a lot of fun. We spoke to thousands of 5th-8th graders all throughout RI, MA, CT.
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By: PJ Reece,
on 5/9/2014
My mother is turning 100.
We’ll have a big party, of course, although not as big as she might think, since all her friends are dead. Doesn’t she know that?
In any event, she wants me to make a speech. “Make it funny, dear,” she said.
I don’t suppose there’s much fun in being 100. Well, she’s to blame for this longevity thing—it’s her fault for being so damned optimistic. I think that’s my opener:
Last year my mother bought a fan and insisted on purchasing the extended warranty. Now, that’s optimism!
Turns out I don’t know very much about my mother. Neither should a child know too much about their parents, if you ask me. This much I do know:
Kathleen was born the very day that Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Mother’s Day into existence. Was the universe trying to tell us something? Unto us a child is born who would become the perfect mother. It’s a sign, it’s a sign!
So, mother is born and—BOOM—WWI erupts, followed by the Spanish Flu epidemic and then of course the Great Depression and the rise of Hitler and… oh, well.
I hope she’s laughing by this time.
As I was saying, my mother is something of a mystery. Or else I was sleep-walking through my formative years. Or that woman was leading a secret life.
A secret life.
There’s something a writer can build a speech around.
They say it’s impossible to lead a secret life these days, what with paper trails, video surveillance, smart phones, smart meters, the NSA, the whole nosy and narcissistic culture we live in, Facebook, Twitter, we blab too much, we know too much. It’s deadly.
So that’s it—a secret life as the key to longevity.
Now that I think of it, my mother…
We were a golfing family, but only recently did we discover that Mother had a secret golf life. She would usher us out the door to school, jump in her little cream-coloured Vauxhall, pick up her friend Marianne and drive hell bent for leather out of town along gravel roads to Windermere Golf Course, play nine holes and race back in time to throw some lunch on the table. We had no idea.
My sister recalls our mother having what Virginia Woolf calls “a room of one’s own.” I said, “Mother had a secret room? What room was that?” My sister said, “The living room—you don’t remember?”
I do remember. Mother used to rearrange all that Louis IV furniture once a week, at least. We weren’t allowed in there. I don’t think our father was allowed in there. But I tell you who was allowed in there—her secret club.
The P.E.O. They had secret rites. Even the name was a secret. They met in that sacred room we weren’t allowed into. Eventually we figured out what P.E.O. stood for—Philanthropic Educational Organization. They provided educational scholarships for girls. You can imagine what a disappointment it was to learn that.
At this point it will behoove me to list off her good works—Kathleen the public health nurse, Meals on Wheels volunteer, you know, doing good all over the place.
But it was at home where she did the most good, and where she proved herself the perfect mother. She allowed me to be who I was. How rare is that! I have no recollection of my mother saying, “Don’t do that.”
When I was a young man on the verge of life, I left for Africa, for two years. My mother said, “Be careful, dear.”
Upon graduating from high school, I said No to university and Yes to a boat that would take me to Europe. She said, “Be careful, dear.”
When I was six—true story—she put me on a train to Calgary. By myself. To see a friend. I don’t think I even had a friend in Calgary. I think she was trying to get rid of me! …so she could resume her secret life.
Just kidding, Mother, just kidding.
My mother’s Sunday roasts were no secret. My friends knew all about it and lobbied to get invited. One such buddy has just sent her a birthday card telling her that he’s been missing those roast beefs for 40 years now.
Well, I miss my mother’s roasts, too. Of course, she has nobody to roast a beef for. Unless she still has a secret life. Come to think of it, I did see a suspicious photograph in her apartment the other day…
Mother… are you and Santa having an aff….
Never mind! I don’t want to know about. I don’t think a child is meant to know too much about their parents. It might interfere with their longevity.
At this point I’ll ask everyone to stand and raise a glass to Mother/Kathleen and all her many secrets.
“Happy 100! Mother dearest.”
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By: PJ Reece,
on 5/9/2014
My mother is turning 100.
We’ll have a big party, of course, although not as big as she might think, since all her friends are dead. Doesn’t she know that?
In any event, she wants me to make a speech. “Make it funny, dear,” she said.
I don’t suppose there’s much fun in being 100. Well, she’s to blame for this longevity thing—it’s her fault for being so damned optimistic. I think that’s my opener:
Last year my mother bought a fan and insisted on purchasing the extended warranty. Now, that’s optimism!
Turns out I don’t know very much about my mother. Neither should a child know too much about their parents, if you ask me. This much I do know:
Kathleen was born the very day that Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Mother’s Day into existence. Was the universe trying to tell us something? Unto us a child is born who would become the perfect mother. It’s a sign, it’s a sign!
So, mother is born and—BOOM—WWI erupts, followed by the Spanish Flu epidemic and then of course the Great Depression and the rise of Hitler and… oh, well.
I hope she’s laughing by this time.
As I was saying, my mother is something of a mystery. Or else I was sleep-walking through my formative years. Or that woman was leading a secret life.
A secret life.
There’s something a writer can build a speech around.
They say it’s impossible to lead a secret life these days, what with paper trails, video surveillance, smart phones, smart meters, the NSA, the whole nosy and narcissistic culture we live in, Facebook, Twitter, we blab too much, we know too much. It’s deadly.
So that’s it—a secret life as the key to longevity.
Now that I think of it, my mother…
We were a golfing family, but only recently did we discover that Mother had a secret golf life. She would usher us out the door to school, jump in her little cream-coloured Vauxhall, pick up her friend Marianne and drive hell bent for leather out of town along gravel roads to Windermere Golf Course, play nine holes and race back in time to throw some lunch on the table. We had no idea.
My sister recalls our mother having what Virginia Woolf calls “a room of one’s own.” I said, “Mother had a secret room? What room was that?” My sister said, “The living room—you don’t remember?”
I do remember. Mother used to rearrange all that Louis IV furniture once a week, at least. We weren’t allowed in there. I don’t think our father was allowed in there. But I tell you who was allowed in there—her secret club.
The P.E.O. They had secret rites. Even the name was a secret. They met in that sacred room we weren’t allowed into. Eventually we figured out what P.E.O. stood for—Philanthropic Educational Organization. They provided educational scholarships for girls. You can imagine what a disappointment it was to learn that.
At this point it will behoove me to list off her good works—Kathleen the public health nurse, Meals on Wheels volunteer, you know, doing good all over the place.
But it was at home where she did the most good, and where she proved herself the perfect mother. She allowed me to be who I was. How rare is that! I have no recollection of my mother saying, “Don’t do that.”
When I was a young man on the verge of life, I left for Africa, for two years. My mother said, “Be careful, dear.”
Upon graduating from high school, I said No to university and Yes to a boat that would take me to Europe. She said, “Be careful, dear.”
When I was six—true story—she put me on a train to Calgary. By myself. To see a friend. I don’t think I even had a friend in Calgary. I think she was trying to get rid of me! …so she could resume her secret life.
Just kidding, Mother, just kidding.
My mother’s Sunday roasts were no secret. My friends knew all about it and lobbied to get invited. One such buddy has just sent her a birthday card telling her that he’s been missing those roast beefs for 40 years now.
Well, I miss my mother’s roasts, too. Of course, she has nobody to roast a beef for. Unless she still has a secret life. Come to think of it, I did see a suspicious photograph in her apartment the other day…
Mother… are you and Santa having an aff….
Never mind! I don’t want to know about. I don’t think a child is meant to know too much about their parents. It might interfere with their longevity.
At this point I’ll ask everyone to stand and raise a glass to Mother/Kathleen and all her many secrets.
“Happy 100! Mother dearest.”
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By: PJ Reece,
on 5/9/2014
My mother is turning 100.
We’ll have a big party, of course, although not as big as she might think, since all her friends are dead. Doesn’t she know that?
In any event, she wants me to make a speech. “Make it funny, dear,” she said.
I don’t suppose there’s much fun in being 100. Well, she’s to blame for this longevity thing—it’s her fault for being so damned optimistic. I think that’s my opener:
Last year my mother bought a fan and insisted on purchasing the extended warranty. Now, that’s optimism!
Turns out I don’t know very much about my mother. Neither should a child know too much about their parents, if you ask me. This much I do know:
Kathleen was born the very day that Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Mother’s Day into existence. Was the universe trying to tell us something? Unto us a child is born who would become the perfect mother. It’s a sign, it’s a sign!
So, mother is born and—BOOM—WWI erupts, followed by the Spanish Flu epidemic and then of course the Great Depression and the rise of Hitler and… oh, well.
I hope she’s laughing by this time.
As I was saying, my mother is something of a mystery. Or else I was sleep-walking through my formative years. Or that woman was leading a secret life.
A secret life.
There’s something a writer can build a speech around.
They say it’s impossible to lead a secret life these days, what with paper trails, video surveillance, smart phones, smart meters, the NSA, the whole nosy and narcissistic culture we live in, Facebook, Twitter, we blab too much, we know too much. It’s deadly.
So that’s it—a secret life as the key to longevity.
Now that I think of it, my mother…
We were a golfing family, but only recently did we discover that Mother had a secret golf life. She would usher us out the door to school, jump in her little cream-coloured Vauxhall, pick up her friend Marianne and drive hell bent for leather out of town along gravel roads to Windermere Golf Course, play nine holes and race back in time to throw some lunch on the table. We had no idea.
My sister recalls our mother having what Virginia Woolf calls “a room of one’s own.” I said, “Mother had a secret room? What room was that?” My sister said, “The living room—you don’t remember?”
I do remember. Mother used to rearrange all that Louis IV furniture once a week, at least. We weren’t allowed in there. I don’t think our father was allowed in there. But I tell you who was allowed in there—her secret club.
The P.E.O. They had secret rites. Even the name was a secret. They met in that sacred room we weren’t allowed into. Eventually we figured out what P.E.O. stood for—Philanthropic Educational Organization. They provided educational scholarships for girls. You can imagine what a disappointment it was to learn that.
At this point it will behoove me to list off her good works—Kathleen the public health nurse, Meals on Wheels volunteer, you know, doing good all over the place.
But it was at home where she did the most good, and where she proved herself the perfect mother. She allowed me to be who I was. How rare is that! I have no recollection of my mother saying, “Don’t do that.”
When I was a young man on the verge of life, I left for Africa, for two years. My mother said, “Be careful, dear.”
Upon graduating from high school, I said No to university and Yes to a boat that would take me to Europe. She said, “Be careful, dear.”
When I was six—true story—she put me on a train to Calgary. By myself. To see a friend. I don’t think I even had a friend in Calgary. I think she was trying to get rid of me! …so she could resume her secret life.
Just kidding, Mother, just kidding.
My mother’s Sunday roasts were no secret. My friends knew all about it and lobbied to get invited. One such buddy has just sent her a birthday card telling her that he’s been missing those roast beefs for 40 years now.
Well, I miss my mother’s roasts, too. Of course, she has nobody to roast a beef for. Unless she still has a secret life. Come to think of it, I did see a suspicious photograph in her apartment the other day…
Mother… are you and Santa having an aff….
Never mind! I don’t want to know about. I don’t think a child is meant to know too much about their parents. It might interfere with their longevity.
At this point I’ll ask everyone to stand and raise a glass to Mother/Kathleen and all her many secrets.
“Happy 100! Mother dearest.”
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By: Susanne Gervay,
on 5/9/2014
SCBWI’s International Conference 13-16th July has the hip band – watch out for drummer award winning picture book author Mark Greenwood on the drums.
Mark’s past life was a drummer with the top bands in the world!
James Foley award winning illustrator who’s on vocals.
Scott Chambers scientist and writer on guitar.
Meredith Costain fabulous author, vocalist on the key boards.
The post SCBWI Big Band kids’ authors, illustrators- gearing up for SCBWI Conference at The Hughenden appeared first on Susanne Gervay's Blog.
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Kathy & Denise,
I enjoyed reading this interview very much and identify so much with Denise’s story. I returned to drawing around the time computers were introduced into the graphics industry.
Anyway, I love the pen & ink combination with colored pencils. The old lady with bat buttons, the red-goggled boy with the blue cape and the girl leading her sheep on wheels to school are my favorites.
Good luck to you Denise and I look forward to seeing your next book!
I love Denise’s work – it’s so colorful and lively and filled with imagination and style!
Love Denise’s art. The snails on the umbrella and the cat on the chimney are my faves, but every piece was inspirational…making me wonder about the stories behind them.