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Dear Friends,
Many years ago, Trinka Hakes Noble and I met at a conference--maybe it was The Hodge Podge Book Conference or it might have been Keystone Reading, but wherever or whenever we met doesn't matter. We were instantly friends. I'm so pleased to share with you my dear friend, Trinka Noble, who shares with you about turning legends into picture books for children. She's also generously giving away two of her picture books for the comment contest. See more about that and Trinka's amazing bio at the end of the post!
A Legend: Writing the Unwritten by Trinka Hakes Noble
When
Sleeping Bear Press, renowned for publishing legends, asked me to write the legend of Michigan, I eagerly accepted. At the time, I was visiting their offices in Ann Arbor, Michigan; but once I was driving back home to New Jersey through the beautiful mountains of Pennsylvania, I was struck by this thought: How does one write something that was never intended to be written, ever, but only spoken? How does one write the unwritten?
A legend, passed down through eons of time, generation after generation, was told and retold. Furthermore, as far as I knew, there wasn’t a legend of Michigan! I was born and raised in Michigan. My family roots run deep, way back to when Michigan was a wilderness territory, and my Native American roots go back even further. So, why wasn’t I told this legend when I was a kid?
Needless to say, it was a long, fretful drive across I-80. And yet, by the time I reached the Delaware Water Gap, I was determined to find a way to write the unwritten!
I’d written numerous picture books, which often have a read-out-loud quality, so I knew how to start. But a legend seemed to need something more. I’d do historical research, of course, but a legend needed something beyond history, something venerable, something timeless, something for the ages. And so I turned to the masters. I read out loud, and at times actually recited,
The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and found what was needed--a cadence. Picture books have a rhythm, but a cadence is stronger and more pronounced, like the beat of a tribal drum. The strong beat of a tribal drum, which is believed to be the heartbeat of the earth, spoke to my Native American ancestry and to what I wanted to write for
The Legend of Michigan. This was the breakthrough I needed to find a way to write what is traditionally spoken and not written. So I tuned my writing ear to the beat of a tribal drum, the heartbeat of the earth.
Interior Illustration from
The Legend of Michigan 
If I were going to use something as ancient as the beat of a drum, then I would have to go back to a time and space before the legend could appear. A legend often tells how and why something came to be. I would have to reach far back in time before the story of the legend started, and set the stage so the legend could happen. In The Legend of Michigan I journeyed back to the last Ice Age to find the story of how Michigan was created and came to be the unique shape of a mitten.
And even though I was writing a legend, I was also, and most definitely, writing a story. I wanted the feeling of sitting around a campfire on a still evening, watching the wood smoke drift up into the starry night, listening to elders tell this long ago story, their voices softly rising and falling through eons of time. So I put myself in both places. I had to become the storyteller, the elder and the young listener all at the same time in order for the written page to captivate and transport the young reader back in time. This was another breakthrough that I needed in order to write a legend.
And yet, I still had to somehow connect the legend to the present, to ‘now’ so young readers could relate, so it would have some meaning, some connection to the modern world of today.
Lastly, a legend needed a mythical element, something beyond logic and reason, something that could only happen in the realm of timelessness. Only then could a legend come to life on the written page.
Somehow, all these things came together in the mysterious and unexplainable process we call the creative process. Through the creative process, I was able to write in picture book form a legend, a spoken story in the written word.
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| Interior Illustration from Legend of Michigan |
Long long ago, the ancient peoples of the forest gathered around their warm bright fires and told the tale of a time long past, when the land of Michigane was covered with thick heavy ice. They called it the Long Night of the North Wind.The Legend of Michigan -- Finalist for the Great Lakes Book Award, 2006After writing
The Legend of Michigan, illustrated by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen, I went on to write three more legends for
Sleeping Bear Press.
The Legend of the Cape May Diamond, illustrated by E.B. Lewis, came next. It begins in a time long past, when the Delaware River was called the Wehittck and flowed through an ancient land called Lenapehoking, the ancestral homeland of the Lenape people.
"Eye candy tome to dress up any coffee table, and serve as pirate's treasure for generations of beachcombers. Ahoy!" -
Philadelphia MagazineKeystone to Reading Book Award List
Delaware Diamond State Award Nominee
Next came
The Legend of the Jersey Devil, illustrated by Gerald Kelley. It begins in a wild and mysterious place in New Jersey that has kept its ancient ways, called The Pine Barrens. Lurking in its black swamps and murky bogs are hidden secrets and evil stories that can only be told on the darkest of nights.
"A delightfully spooky picture book rendering of the famed Jersey Devil legend. Suspenseful, with captivating illustrations."
Kirkus Review, June 2013The fourth legend, and my latest book, is
The Legend of Sea Glass, illustrated by Doris Ettlinger. It begins long ago when people believed the world was flat. No one dared sail beyond the horizon, for surely you would fall off the edge of the earth and be devoured by sea monsters.
Summary:
Long, long ago there was a time when mankind did not venture into the deep ocean waters. It was believed that the world was flat and to sail beyond the horizon meant falling off the edge of the earth. So even though they were drawn to and fascinated by the ocean, people feared it.
But as people lived their lives above the water, far beyond their view and in the ocean's deepest depths lived mysterious and magical sea creatures, half girl and half fish. These shy, gentle creatures were called mermaids and were much loved by the ocean. And when people finally overcame their fear and ventured out to sea, risking disaster and even death, it was the mermaids who came to their rescue. This imaginative legend explains the origin of sea glass, that treasured, collectible gift from the sea. I learned a great deal from writing these four legends, and I believe they have helped me with my other writing as well. For me, this venture into an unfamiliar genre of writing the unwritten has helped me to stretch and grow as a writer and storyteller.
Biography:
Trinka Hakes Noble
Trinka Hakes Noble is the award-winning author of over thirty picture books including The Scarlet Stockings Spy (IRA Teachers’ Choice 2005), The Last Brother, The Legend of the Cape May Diamond, The Legend of Michigan and Apple Tree Christmas, which she wrote and illustrated. Other titles include The Orange Shoes (IRA Teachers’ Choice 2008), The Pennsylvania Reader, The New Jersey Reader, Little New Jersey, Little Pennsylvania and The People of Twelve Thousand Winters. Ms. Noble also wrote the ever-popular Jimmy’s Boa series and Meanwhile Back at the Ranch, both featured on PBS’s Reading Rainbow. Her many awards include ALA Notable Children’s Book, Booklist Children’s Editors’ Choice, IRA-CBC Children’s Choice, Learning: The Year’s Ten Best, plus several state reading awards and Junior Literary Guild selections.
Her latest titles are
The Legend of the Jersey Devil, and
Lizzie and the Last Day of School (March 2015). Forth coming in 2016 is
The Legend of Sea Glass and in 2017
The Ragamuffin Parade, part of the Tales of Young Americans series by
Sleeping Bear Press.
Ms. Noble has studied children’s book writing and illustrating in New York City at Parsons School of Design, the New School University, Caldecott medalist Uri Shulevitz’s Greenwich Village Workshop, and at New York University. She is on the board of The New Jersey Center for the Book and a member of the Rutgers University Council on Children’s Literature. In 2002 she was awarded Outstanding Woman in Arts and Letters in the state of New Jersey for her lifetime work in children’s books, along with letters of commendation from the US Senate, the US House of Representatives and the US Congress. Ms. Noble currently lives in northern New Jersey.
Learn more about Trinka Hakes Noble on her Website:
www.trinkahakesnoble.com.Follow Trinka on FB: Trinka Hakes Noble, Author-Illustrator Or click on the
FB symbol on her website homepage. Thanks!
Trinka has generously donated a copy of her featured book,
The Legend of Michigan, and her newest title just released on February 15th,
The Legend of Sea Glass. ******
HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY, Trinka!******
For a chance to win one of these two titles, simply leave a comment for us and your name will be entered. We appreciate your comments, dear readers! If you have a moment to spare, please tweet using the handy icon below the post. The winners, picked by random.org, will be announced in one week!
Thank you so much, Trinka, for sharing your writing from the inside out and for your generous spirit!
Dear Friends,
It's a cold, blustery day, but things will warm up fast if we all get up and dance with Bear and cheer for the lucky winner of BEAR CAN DANCE:
***CONGRATULATIONS***
DAVE BEAUDRY
Please E-mail me: claragillowclark(dot)gmail(dot)com
with your mailing address!
(Preview of A NUMBER SLUMBER at end of post!)
School Librarian Summer 2013 *Starred ReviewWhen Bear and Goose open a suitcase of toys, little Fox arrives and wants to play. Initially Bear warmly welcomes the newcomer, but quickly starts grumbling when Bear becomes the one to be left out. Soon it's up to Goose to solve the situation.
A dilemma faced by most young children (and many adults!) is deftly resolved by Goose's good will. A wonderful scene on the last page finds Goose and Fox perched on Bear's lap while Goose reads aloud and Fox snoozes contentedly.The bold simple text in this exceptional book
tells the story of complex emotions in only 100 words.
The vibrant blue, green and turquoise background provides a striking backdrop for the drama. Bear's size and beautifully textured polar coat cannot protect him from the roller-coaster of his own emotions. Little Fox, shy and sly by turns attempts to manipulate the situation while Goose's expressive eyes reflect his conflicting allegiances and anxiety.
This powerful story is a marvelous sequel to A Splendid Friend Indeed and will be remembered for many years. An ideal book to read aloud to children of 3+,
this would be an excellent trigger for classroom discussions and candle times. ~Rosemary Woodman
www.alannabooks.com. Anna McQuinn, of Alanna Books, has published A Splendid Friend, Indeed and What About Bear? in the UK. Goose & Bear have been translated into nine other languages.Enjoy this preview of A NUMBER SLUMBER!!! 
In this book, beloved author-illustrator Suzanne Bloom asks readers how they prepare for bed—from putting on jammies to asking for one more hug—then counts down to bedtime from ten terribly tired tigers to one really weary wombat. Each animal demonstrates a different bedtime ritual—skunks somersault into bunks and elephants curl up with their trunks—adding original and inventive rhymes and a clever counting-backward structure to the bedtime book genre. The lyrical, rhyming text combines with dreamy, colorful artwork to provide a perfect way for children to wind down from an active day in a book sure to become a new bedtime classic. Here is a nearly finished spread from the upcoming, A Number Slumber. (Boyds Mills Press, fall 2016)
Looks like another winning story, Suzanne! Congratulations on your forthcoming book, A NUMBER SLUMBER. And thanks so much for sharing your time and expertise with us!
FACEBOOK: Suzanne Bloom Author
Google Suzanne Bloom YouTube videos
Next up is Author Trinka Noble. She'll be sharing an inside look at her process of turning legends into pictures books for children. Plus, she's offering an autographed book for one lucky reader who leaves a comment!
THANKS, everyone, for joining the dance with BEAR and Suzanne Bloom! See you soon. . .
Dear Friends,
Please welcome Award winning author/illustrator, SUZANNE BLOOM! It's been years now since we shared a pan of warm cinnamon rolls on a snowy evening, but Suzanne is always a Splendid Friend Indeed. I'm sure you'll agree! (See details for the giveaway of Suzanne's new book at the end of the post!)
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| Author/Illustrator SUZANNE BLOOM |
AUTHOR SUZANNE BLOOM shares:
Though I grew up in Queens NY, my first five formative years were spent in Portland, Oregon. That’s why I retained an “R “ and love rainy days. Living in upstate NY allows a continued appreciation for precipitation. As an antique, I’m mid-century modern. If I were yogurt I’d be traditional/plain.
My first published piece, in a glossy magazine for teachers, was a third grade poem -- "Blue is My Favorite Color". Prescient? I guess.
Parents and teachers encouraged my artistic endeavors, except for Jack Tworkov, abstract expressionist and painting teacher at Cooper Union. He urged breaking away from the figurative. Can’t quite do it.
The idea of writing and illustrating picture books was expressed in a Jr. High autobiography. It came to fruition a quarter of a century later. Creating illustrations that enhance a story puts art into the hands of children. It’s both a portfolio and a passport to a bigger world.
When I’m writing, it feels like drawing is the easy part and when I’m drawing…well, you know. But once I’ve doodled through the first few lame attempts, something sticks. A character takes shape and then brings a friend.Though the story is far from resolved, I have been reminded that this is what I do. This is how I wish to spend my time and energy. I believe I can do this again.
The perks of this vocation include observing people, eavesdropping, or as I like to say “over listening”, inventing lives from very few details, elevating the everyday with some attitude and flow. Not to mention visiting behind the scenes at the Jacksonville Zoo to draw anteaters. It also includes honoring the events and people who have inspired the stories.
You may be familiar with Goose and Bear who are best known for smoothing out the bumps that pop up in a friendship. But did you know that A Splendid Friend, Indeed was inspired by my dad, who is the master of the rhetorical question?“What are you doing? Are you reading?” Yep, word for word. That was the start of a story that has grown into a series of seven books, so far.
Auditions for those two characters required many sketches of many mismatched pairs of animals. In fact, before illustrating begins, I must draw my cast of characters in a variety of poses so I know who they are. Body language and facial expressions are key to each character’s feelings. Pre-readers understand; as a kindergartener told his teacher, “I’m feeling like the Bear today”. The bushy tail on Little Fox doubles as a her emotional barometer. It’s easier to make a flamingo look frazzled than a turtle.
I’m always on the lookout for models -- in the grocery store, at the airport, during school visits. A quick sketch for reference is very helpful. I was trying to discreetly sketch teenagers goofing around on the subway and one commanded his buddies, “Sit down, man. She’s trying to draw us.” It was cool. I got their approval. So many times, revisiting a sketch takes me right back to the scene.
From one story to the next, the process changes. Ideas may first appear as a sketch, character, or some words. But I do try to have the story settled before starting the art. And I try to work out the design decisions before finalizing the drawings. In the forthcoming A Number Slumber (BMP fall 2016) the tiger spread started out as something entirely different.
When I draw, I listen to music like Buddha Lounge or The Music Man but when writing, I prefer silence.
Even a book of 100 words requires revisions because every word carries its own weight. Whooshy and woozy, occasionally, chickadee and bamboozled are choice words. As the boss of the book, I get to make the choices. Which is more fun to say? Tricked or bamboozled? Robin or chickadee? Read aloud. Savor.
AWARDS
A Splendid Friend, Indeed has a life of its own. It received an inaugural Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor Award and was shortlisted for The UKLA award. PA One Book for Every Young Child distributed it to pre-schools and libraries across Pennsylvania and several years later they did the same with The Bus For Us. Several books have appeared on the Bank Street College Best Books list. There have been a number of starred reviews. But to know that a book is so loved that a dad has to purchase a new copy for his second daughter is a most appreciated seal of approval.
Reviews of THE NEW BOOK - Bear Can Dance!
What Bear wants is to fly. What Bear does is dance. “It’s like flying, but with your feet on the ground. Mostly.” For the past six books Bear has been put upon and bothered. It was time to let Bear discover some hidden talents. Goose and Little Fox try to help, but Bear comes up with a personal solution.
Bear Can Dance!
Suzanne Bloom. Boyds Mills, $16.95 (40p) ISBN 978-1-62979-442-6
Bear, Goose, and Fox’s seventh outing sees Bear attempting
to fly. All he wants is to “swoop and glide and feel the wind
in [his] fur,” but even after coaching from
Fox (who outfits Bear with a cape and goggles),
flight remains out of reach for the
lumbering polar bear. With music pouring
out of Bear’s portable turntable, the friends
realize that dancing is “like flying, but
with your feet on the ground. Mostly.”
Bloom’s soft pastel artwork handily captures both the
warmth of this three-way friendship and the wind in Bear’s
fur—while he cuts a rug. Ages 2–6. (Oct.) ~Publishers Weekly, Sept 2015
A review by Sue Heavenrich of Bear Can Dance! is posted Oct. 9, 2015 at Sally's Bookshelf:
http://sallysbookshelf.blogspot.com/2015/10/bear-can-dance.htmlBear Can Dance!
by Suzanne Bloom
40 pages; ages 3-7
Boyds Mills Press
theme: friendship, talents
I love Bear and Goose - they are "splendid friends indeed"... and this book includes their best buddy, Fox...What I like LOVE about this book:
I love the way Suzanne Bloom can tell a story using a combination of dialog-only text and wondrous illustrations.
I love the creative ways Fox and Goose try to get Bear to fly.
I love that Bear finds a way to fly with feet on the ground.
And I love the endpapers where Goose and Fox are dancing the (what else?) Foxtrot.... ~
Sue HeavenrichBeyond the Book:
If you were going to teach Bear how to fly, what would you do? What does it take to fly? Can you get that whooshy feeling doing other things? When you're swinging, or sledding down a hill, do you feel like you're flying?
What animals fly? Birds fly, but there are other animals that fly about, or glide. Think about mammals, fish, amphibians and reptiles, and insects. How do they flit/ fly/soar/glide through the air?
What is that funny suitcase-looking thing that Bear is playing music on? If you have one, listen to a recording. If not, see where you can find one: a museum? A thrift shop? Take a close look. How do they work?…
SCHOOL VISITS
I learn a lot when I visit schools.
During a writing exercise a fourth grade boy told me that he couldn’t write the assignment, about his family, because his dad was in jail and they lived with his grandma, and it would make him too sad and he might cry. He and his writing buddy picked another topic and I became their scribe. Kids think faster than they write, so when i read it back to them, their eyes widened as they exclaimed, “WE wrote that?” It was deep.
I chose a skinny little kid in the front row to help me read the bi-lingual version of A Splendid Friend, Indeed. The gym was hushed as he read very quietly. Afterward one teacher said she was impressed because he was always in trouble and another teacher said she’d never heard him read before and didn’t know he could read Spanish.
A thank you note from a 2nd grader a student wrote, “You taught us to bleeve in ourselves."
A Texas 3rd grader stood up during question time and announced, “Ma’am, You were born to draw.”
Indeed.
Thank you, dear Suzanne, for such wonderful insights about your writing and illustrating process. AND THANK YOU for donating an autographed copy of BEAR CAN DANCE! to one lucky reader who stops by to leave a comment for us. Dear reader, We'd love to hear about what gives you that wonderful whooshy feeling! Learn more about SUZANNE BLOOM: FACEBOOK: Suzanne Bloom Author
Google Suzanne Bloom YouTube videos
The winner of BEAR CAN DANCE! will be announced on Tuesday, February 16th. You'll also learn about Suzanne's newest title, A Number Slumber, coming in Fall of 2016 and get a sneak preview of her illustrations. How exciting is that?
Dear Reader,
It's an exciting BOOK BIRTHDAY for Author McCallum Morgan. You met him last week when he shared about his writing journey and inspiration for his first book, A HOLE IN THE ICE. (Random.org has picked a winner TBA at the end of the post. Today is the official release date of the sequel, A HOLE IN THE SEA and McCallum is giving away two autographed copies of his new book:
Check out the Facebook release party for more details: https://www.facebook.com/events/529259667240305/
Rafflecopter giveaway:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/67e36af22/
Summary of A Hole in the Sea:
Parsifal and Balder are trapped on the arctic ice after Lady Vasille and Lord Keazund vanish into the Sea. The magical Compass shows Parsifal dire warnings of storm and mermaid. Unable to resist the hole in the ice, the two friends [plunge in and] find themselves cast adrift on an otherworldly Sea filled with myth and dangerous monsters. Guided by Dioktes, a strange old man of doubtful motives, they come to the Port, a floating city of wreckage ruled by a desperate rabble. Lady Vasille has designs upon the Port and upon all of the Sea and will stop at nothing to obtain the coveted Compass. If Parsifal isn’t careful, he and his friends will be caught up in her schemes once more. But it’s hard to be careful when you’re trying to survive.
Author McCallum Morgan talks about writing the sequel, A Hole in the Sea. . .
The sequel was really fun to write. I was really into the characters by now and they came naturally to me, almost as if they were telling the story themselves. I’d plotted out vague events long before I got around to writing the book, so the rough draft came rather fast; but I still had to work on fleshing out the emotional plot (thank you again, Clara). Figuring out the deeper storyline seems to be the hardest part for me. At least that was true in this series, because I’d plotted out the overarching action beforehand and hadn’t meshed it with a solid emotional storyline from the beginning.
Like my first book, I drew inspiration from those old games of make-believe that my brother and I so enjoyed. The new, monstrous character of Wilma Jones first originated in some long-ago pirate adventure. She was originally Wilma Jean, the name that popped into my head when an old scrap of wood shaped like a claw (if you used your imagination) came into my hands. She’s half-crustacean, so it seemed only natural to wed her to Davy Jones. Thus we have the parents for the nightmarish Tan Noz (named after some coastal British goblins). If I remember correctly, the Tan Noz are actually leftover evidence of my brother’s plotline from the game we created that inspired the books.
One of the most exciting things about the sequel happened as I was getting it ready for Little Bird Publishing House. I was given an opportunity to turn a song that’s sung by the new character Fou into an actual song! I hope to have it available as a free download on my website:
www.mccallumjmorgan.weebly.com, but I’m not sure when it will be up.
THE LUCKY WINNER of a
HOLE IN THE ICE is:
************MARGARET BRUETSCH***************
!!!!!!!!!CONGRATULATIONS, MARGARET!!!!!!!
Margaret, please e-mail me (claragillowclark(at)gmail(dot)com with your mailing address, and your book will be on its way to you soon!
Please join the
Birthday Party and stop by McCallum's FB page or click on the Rafflecopter link below for a chance to win a
Hot-off-the-Press paperback of
A HOLE IN THE SEA. Check out the Facebook release party for more details:
https://www.facebook.com/events/529259667240305/ Rafflecopter giveaway:http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/67e36af22/ Thanks for stopping by! Next up is the Award Winning Author/Illustrator, the amazing Suzanne Bloom!
Dear Friends,
Please welcome Author McCallum Morgan, an extraordinary young writer, former student and friend. (Giveaway at the end of the blog!)
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| Author McCallum Morgan (He made the jacket!) |
As a child, McCallum always wanted to write a book. He scribbled in notebooks, drew pictures, and lived largely in a world of make-believe. Into this fertile field a seed was planted. Notebooks began to fill and they didn’t stop. It was a soaring waltz with words among the silvery clouds and he loved it. He was thirteen.
It became his first novel, A Hole in the Ice, published when he was nineteen. He is now twenty and working on the third book in the Weather Casters Saga.
McCallum still draws and occasionally attacks an unfortunate piece of fabric with a sewing machine. He may be spotted around his home town of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, sporting his collection of bizarre clothing items, singing ‘Totale Finsternis’ or at the bakery near his home, drinking a caramel macchiato. His day job is log home finishing. He lives with his parents in a house perched on the hillside twenty miles south of the Canadian border and takes his tea with milk and sugar in a cup and saucer.
Website:
www.mccallumjmorgan.weebly.comBlog:
www.mhablas.blogspot.comA Hole in the Ice by McCallum Morgan
A Hole in The Ice is an epic historical fantasy sweeping across time, myth and nineteenth-century Europe. A decadent cast of characters embark on a mysterious journey in pursuit of a mythical lost land said to be inhabited by beautiful but deadly mermaids. As the reader sweeps across the story under the glimmer of chandeliers and falling snow flakes, they are taken on a beautiful adventure to the very limits of the imagination. Each character in this extraordinary tale has their own personal treasure they are hunting and each one will pay a price higher than they ever anticipated.Review from a reader: This story follows a young man named Parsifal and a strange cast of characters into the land of paranormal and strange inventions, machines, and powers which control man and beast. . . .This trip through the world of the 1800s is quite imaginative and also shows the author did his research. I enjoyed the author's ability to paint his worlds with words. . . . that made reading this book a pleasure. Brian P. Lane McCallum Morgan shares his writing journey:
I hate to admit it, but
A Hole in the Ice started as fan fiction. The original manuscript, which I started at age thirteen or thereabouts, had dæmons in it. In its defense, it was an attempt to diverge from the original inspiring work of fiction, an attempt to cater to my own personal tastes. Here’s how it all began:
I’d just started reading Phillip Pullman’s
The Golden Compass and I was entranced. This was the book I had been looking for. This was brilliant. This was real magic. Except for one thing: I was confused about the time period of the setting. It was just a small thing, but there I was, imagining a more Victorian feel to Lyra’s Oxford, and BAM! This is what happened next:
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| The Author and his brother |
My brother, a year and a half my junior, and I liked to play make believe. We would come up with characters and settings and what-not and play these imaginary adventures that could last a week or more. I was reading
The Golden Compass. I said let’s do something like
The Golden Compass but set in an earlier time, something like
Pride and Prejudice (I had watched the BBC production with my mom and sister). The first imagined time period kind of fell through, since my story ended up with trains and zeppelins; back then, I had a vague understanding of historical time periods. It was all 1800s to me. Hence, the steampunk.
Most of the character names originated from the 19th-century. I constructed them in a matter of minutes. Vassilissa came from the Russian fairytale. Vasille was just the logical last name to go with that. Lord Keazund sprang into my head, fully formed (I pronounce it kay-zhund), and Parsifal came from Arthurian legends. Balder came along later. The character of Balder is all that remains of my brother’s characters and plot, but even Balder is in a new and changed form that my brother refuses to claim. My brother and I still bounce story ideas off each other. Often, we won’t really be listening to each other, but it still helps us develop our own ideas, and sometimes we do inspire each other.
 |
| Character sketch of Vassilissa |
Drawing has always been a part of that. My brother and I always drew things, often related to these imaginary escapades. Often, if I’m inspired by something, I’ll draw related things before I ever get around to writing anything down because it’s so immediate and visual. The exception was my first book; I wrote a lot of it first and then drew pictures for it. However, I sketched scenes and characters from sequels in the series as I wrote the first one. Even though details may change when I finally begin the actual drafting of the next book, the sketches of settings, characters, and costumes I’ve made seem to keep my inspiration going, it helps me look forward to where the plot and story are going.
The plot of
A Hole in the Ice just happened. It unfolded as if it were the only bridge across a very deep chasm. Of course, it changed over the years of writing and re- imagining. I dropped the dæmons before I’d finished the very first draft, because even then I entertained grand notions of someday publishing the thing. But the main, albeit vague direction of the plot stayed pretty much intact. It was the emotional story that developed over the years, growing from bare bones into something meatier than the original. (Thank you, Clara, for helping me with that.)
There are so many other factors of inspiration. Young authors like Christopher Paolini inspired me (or made me ambitiously jealous!) Since the expedition in
A Hole in the Ice crosses Europe, I had to drop into the Transylvanian Alps because I love
Dracula. And then there are zeppelins and half-zeppelins, because I love zeppelins and read all about the first aerial circumnavigation of the globe by Dr. Eckener on the Graf Zeppelin. I owe my love of airships to Kenneth Oppel and his wonderful books in the
Airborn series. Probably every book I’ve ever read has had some kind of influence on my work.
So it is fan fiction. Fan fiction of multiple books (and movies and old legends). But isn’t that the reason we all write? We write because something we read inspired us. We write not to improve on our favorite stories (because that can’t be done), but to make something new and fresh, something all our own. The expedition and The Compass remain in
A Hole in the Ice, but I don’t think you could find another book in the same (sub)genre so completely different from
The Golden Compass.
To be a writer, you first have to be a fan of reading and books.
Thank you, Mccallum, for giving us the inside view of your writing journey and inspirations! McCallum has generously donated a print copy of his first novel,
A Hole in the Ice. As always, you don't have to tweet or share on fb or join the blog for a chance to win an autographed copy. All you have to do is leave a comment for us and random.org will pick the winner. We'd LOVE to hear from you. We are truly grateful for your encouragement and support! The winner will be announced next Thursday, January 28th, on the Book Birthday and the Giveaway for A Hole in the Sea. 
Book trailer Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L1HAwoBAF8(Mesmerizing!!!)
Purchase a copy of
A Hole in the Ice:
amzn.to/1NinJQXThe Book Birthday for,
A Hole in the Sea is next week!!
Amazon Sequel Pre-order Link:
amzn.to/1V4SKxB
Dear Readers,
What a week! We were thrilled that so many of you stopped by and left such thoughtful comments for Alexandria (and me!). Thanking my stars this morning that I don't have to pick the winner, because Random.org has done it for me. Whew!
The LUCKY WINNER of PRETTY OMENS is announced at the end of the post, but please take a moment to read about two other titles in the series by Alexandria LaFaye:
The Year of the Sawdust Man:
Nissa’s life has never been perfect. Living with her free-spirited mama in the small town of Harper, Louisiana, has led to lots of gossipy small talk and mean rumors. But now Mama is gone, and all the townsfolk can talk about is who she might have run off with.
Nissa’s memories of the Sundays her mama would come home smelling of sawdust lead her to suspect that some of the rumors are true. Did her mama run away with the Sawdust Man? And is she ever coming back?
Reviews:
"Prepare yourself for feisty eleven-year-old Nissa Bergen because she and her wayward mother, abandoned father, and the gossipy denizens of small-town Louisiana are about to invade your heart in a first novel that is entirely engaging, touching, and unfailingly entertaining. Alexandria LaFaye is a writer to welcome—and cherish."
—Robert Cormier, author of The Chocolate War
"I read The Year of the Sawdust Man with the same sense of joy and wonder I felt many years ago when I finished a review copy of a first novel by an unknown author: To Kill a Mockingbirdby Harper Lee."
—Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey, author of A Woman of Independent Means
"A bittersweet, moving debut. . . . Beautifully written."
—Publishers Weekly, (starred)
Link to the book:
http://milkweed.org/shop/product/126/the-year-of-the-sawdust-man/The Sequel:
Nissa’s Place
Ever since her father remarried, Nissa feels like a stranger in her own home. Her new stepmother rearranges the house and removes all signs that Nissa’s free-spirited mother ever lived there. And her best friend wants to trade her time with Nissa for the opportunity to impress boys. Hoping to find traces of how life used to be, Nissa accepts an invitation from her mother and moves to Chicago.But life in Chicago is overwhelming to Nissa, and she misses her home and father. She’s thrilled to help her mother sew costumes and plant a rooftop flower garden, but how can she fit in when people talk so fast and don’t even care to wish her a good day? After a revelation in the Chicago library, the willful Nissa discovers a way to stake her independence and find her place in her family and life in Louisiana.
Told with the lyricism that marked The Year of the Sawdust Man, Nissa’s Place is a beautiful continuation of Nissa’s story and a remarkable book on its own. Once vou meet Nissa Bergen, you’ll never forget her.
Reviews:
“LaFaye surpasses the lyricism and emotional depth of her sparkling debut, The Year of the Sawdust Man, in this sequel. Readers will be moved as Nissa comes to view Heirah Rae’s flight as an act of courage and a spur for Nissa to make her own dream of a library in Harper come true.”
—Publishers Weekly“LaFaye works lyrically with folk expressions and wisdom, conveying them in a delightful way. She also succeeds in picturing the racial attitudes of the era and allows the rural characters to be true to themselves in the city environment.”
—School Library Journal“In the honeyed and colorful language of the deep South, Nissa sorts through her feelings for her mama, her steady dad, the pregnant Lara, and her racially divided town. Inspired to turn Lara’s old home into a local library, Nissa wrestles with segregation, and hope. A fine, upstanding sequel to The Year of the Sawdust Man.”
—Booklist
Link:
http://milkweed.org/shop/product/54/nissas-place/And now, the lucky winner of PRETTY OMENS is: 
***********JANET SMART*********** **************CONGRATULATIONS, JANET!!!!************ JANET, please send your mailing address to
[email protected] Let her know if you'd like PRETTY OMENS personalized to you or to someone else.
Thank you, Alexandria, for the fantastic post on the art of writing and for donating an autographed copy of PRETTY OMENS. Thank you, dear Readers, for showing up! Come back next week for something entirely different!
Dear Friends,
Please welcome author Alexandria LaFaye, who shares deep (and inspiring) insights into the art of writing. Read on. . .and please leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you. Thank you!
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| Author Alexandria LaFaye |
A. LaFaye is a writer, professor, mother of five, and wife. An associate professor of English at Greenville College, she is gearing up to launch their first MFA program in Multimedia Storytelling. She also teaches as a visiting associate professor in the graduate program in Children’s and Young Adult Literature at Hollins University. LaFaye's other titles include: The Keening(Milkweed), Water Steps (Milkweed), and Worth(Aladdin). Catch up with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/alafayeauthor Write Around the Corner by Alexandria LaFaye
I love complexity in language—words, images, and titles that can mean many things. It adds layers to your writing and your reading that allows you to move around in the writing itself, see new things each time you read, so I thought “Write Around the Corner” would be a great way to talk about the subject of layering and subtext in your writing. Words that work for you in a way that brings your own writing and your readers around the next corner to see what might happen next.
Duality in writing—addressing a dual audience, integrating double meaning, and organically weaving in theme—are all complicated and intriguing elements of craft, but for today, let’s focus on double meaning. I’ll explore it in three elements of craft—slanted dialogue, imagery, and titles.
Let’s go for the easy one first—“Titles”
My latest book
PRETTY OMENS is a retelling of the myth of Cassandra set in a Virginian coal mining community in 1911. I chose the title for many reasons.
1. It’s a book about misconceptions and how they can shape the way we see the world around us and the people within it. The narrator Cass Ann Marie Pettibone was miraculously saved as an infant, but everyone believes she’s become a “devil child” and their fears are “confirmed” when she begins to see visions of the future. But are those visions evil or good?
2. An omen is really just a sign of things to come. But people often see it as an evil word. Using it and the word “pretty” offers a tension between what many people think when they hear the word “omen” and the positive connotations of “pretty.” Together, they create a thematic connection to the idea of re-seeing things we misunderstand.
3. When Cass Ann Marie sees an omen, she has to draw it, so it’s a pretty omen.
This title works on so many levels, I hope, because it’s directly connected to the book physically (she draws the omens), thematically (re-seeing things we misunderstand), and in terms of the connotations of the words (pretty and omens). These ties create the layering we’re discussing. I’ll call it a discussion because I would love to receive comments from readers to discuss this element of writing in more depth.
If you’d like to get your own copy of PRETTY OMENS, you can order it here:
http://anchorandplumepress.com/shop/pretty-omensAdvanced praise for Pretty Omens:
In language as lovely as a curling mountain creek, A. LaFaye tells the story of Cass Anne Marie, born during a nasty winter on Crowley’s Ridge. Loved back to life by her mama, the young girl is shunned by the mining community because of her gift of omens. And yet this gift might prove to be their salvation. Pretty Omens, a story-in-poems by a pitch-perfect author, reads like a classic. —Mary Logue, author of Sleep Like a Tiger andLake of Tears
In LaFaye’s strong, fast-paced novel-in-verse, the voices of her characters ring true, the language dazzles, drawing the reader into Cass Anne’s story of love and redemption, religious intolerance, and belief. —Paul Janeczko, author of Firefly, July, Publisher’s Weekly Book of 2014
Told in sparse free verse poems, LaFaye’s gritty tale of a young girl’s struggle against a town’s superstitions, is both powerful, and heartbreaking, and ultimately inspiring. —Han Nolan, National Book Award winner, Dancing on the Edge Let’s move on to the layering of imagery. I first came to understand how an image can be layered by reading “Oranges” by Gary Soto. It introduced me to a concept I like to call “impacked imagery.” This is the use of enjambment to get two images for the price of one. Let me show you:
In the poem, the narrator is about to meet up with a girl he is smitten with. He says,
She came out pullingAt her gloves, face brightWith rogue, I smiled, Ending the line with “pulling” opens a narrative gap—an opening in a text that is intended to be filled by the writer and the reader together. In the fraction of a second between that line and the next the reader is asking, pulling what? And answering—the door closed or something like that and when they read “at her gloves,” they’ve seen the door close and watched her put on her gloves—that’s an impacted image-2 for the price of one.
He does it again with “bright” because we think she’s blushing from nerves or the cold and in reality, she’s wearing makeup.
Here’s a link to Soto’s full poem on the Poetry Foundation website, a resource you should make use of regularly for the wealth of poetry, audio poems, and articles on the genre.
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/browse/142/3#!/20599498/0You can create impacted imagery through paying careful attention to how you end one line of poetry with a narrative gap and closing that gap in the next line. Notice the use of specific and suggestive words at the end “pulling” and “bright.”
If you’d like to know more about my take on imagery, here’s a post on the subject on my blog WORDY WANDERINGS REST STOP
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/130361.A_LaFaye/blogThat brings us to the hardest form of duality and layering in writing—slanted dialogue. Writing dialogue that says many things at the same time through layering is called “slanted” because it never says what it means directly. When people who know each other speak, their word choices, body language, and allusions are filled with double meaning because they have a history together. The trick is bringing all of that out in your writing. Allow me to use an example from my novel THE YEAR OF THE MAN. In this scene, we join Nissa Bergen and her mother Heirah on their front porch in Harper, Louisiana in 1933:
Just because Papa and I knew Mama was gone didn't mean the whole town of Harper had to find out. Of course, if Miss Chessie Roubidoux got even a whiff of trouble from our place, she'd be making up stories and spreading them about faster than thistle down in a windstorm. One year, she had everyone in town believing Mama practiced Voodoo on account of the fact she drank hibiscus tea. Miss Chessie was walking past our place on her way to the post office and she saw me and Mama sitting out on the porch sipping our fresh, brewed-in-the-sun hibiscus tea. She stopped in the street and stared at us, the dust settling in our her shiny shoes. Wiping the sweat from her face with the handkerchief she keeps hanging over her belt, Miss Chessie said, "What on earth are you drinking, Heirah Rae Bergen?"
Mama held up her glass and shook it a little so the flower petals in the tea would float around a bit. I could tell by the smile on her face that Mama was thinking up a good answer. "Hibiscus tea."
I was disappointed. I usually got a good laugh over watching Miss Chessie stomp off after Mama served her up a little just deserts.
"Hibiscus tea? What is that? Some Voodoo brew you picked up from them colored folk down at the Tar Baby?"
Mama was good friends with the folks down at the Tar Baby Cafe. We were one of the only white families in there on any given day. I loved their alligator jambalaya. It was so hot, it made my mouth itch for days. Most white folks thought it was a sin to mix with black folks, but Mama didn't give a damn. Neither did Papa. I didn't even bother thinking about it.
Now Miss Chessie, she thought all black folks were evil because she thought they were into Voodoo magic. She was sure Voodoo was devil worship. Mama just played right along with Miss Chessie's stupid beliefs.
"Why, yes Chessie. This is straight from a witch doctor's kitchen." Mama held her tea up higher. "It'll shrivel the kidneys of my enemies." Mama took a big gulp.
I bit my lip to keep from giggling as Miss Chessie glared at Mama's glass of tea. She said, "You're evil, Heirah Rae Bergen. And I'm going to see that this entire town knows it."
Mama licked her lips. "You do that, Chessie."
Miss Chessie stomped off shouting. "A woman like you shouldn't be allowed to have children." She turned back to say, "Wit your evil ways, you'll make that sweet girl just like you!"
Mama squeezed my hand, saying,"She'll be just like herself." She stood up, went to the porch railing, then raised up her glass so Miss Chessie could see it. "Here's to your health, Chessie!"
Miss Chessie just shook her head then charged into the post office all ready to spread lies about Mama.
Notice how much these two women say to each other without speaking it out loud, Chessie is a racist who thinks Heriah Rae is an inadequate mother, unmannered, and shameful. On the other hand, Heirah Rae thinks Chessie is a superstitious busybody who should mind her own business and basically tells her, “I hope your kidneys shrivel up and you die, you old prune” just by toasting to her health. In this scene I engaged the speakers in an everyday discussion that revealed their inner motivations by how they said what they said.
For instance, Chessie didn’t ask, “What are you drinking?” She said, “What on earth are you drinking, Heirah Rae Bergen?” The use of all three names suggests a scolding by a superior.
Physical descriptions also help, Chessie’s handkerchief over her belt and shiny shoes suggest her prim and proper nature.
So, in this short scene, we learn loads by not only what was said, but what was implied. That’s slanted dialogue.
If you’d like to share more misadventures with Nissa and her mama, please check out THE YEAR OF THE SAWDUST MAN and its sequel NISSA’S PLACE from Milkweed Editions (Let’s hear it for Indie Publishers!).
http://milkweed.org/shop/product/126/the-year-of-the-sawdust-man/Questions anyone? I‘d love to discuss this topic further. In fact, if you have anything at all you’d like to chat about in terms of writing, reading, or any other subject, please share a comment on this blog.
You can also e-mail me at
[email protected].
Visit my website at
www.alafaye.com.
Tweet me @artlafaye
Check out my blog at
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/130361.A_LaFaye/blogOr stop by my facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/alafayeauthorI’m around. Please reach out to connect.
Thank you so much, Alexandria, for sharing pearls of writing wisdom. And thank you everyone for stopping by to share your thoughts. Don't forget to check out Alexandria's links for more about her books and the craft of writing. Happy New Year!
Dear friends,
The Lucky winner of Mouse's Christmas Cookie is:
*******Pam Zollman********
Congratulations, PAM!!! Please e-mail me with your mailing address and how you'd like your book personalized by Pat. (claragillowclark(at)gmail(dot)com. Your book should reach you before Christmas!
Check out this perfect pick for a heartwarming winter read:
Here's the link: Red Sled
Patricia Thomas, Chris L. Demarest
School Library Journal--PreSchool-Grade 1—A father and son go sledding down a hill one snowy night in this charming picture book. The brief text consists of easy-to-read words in rhyming pairs ("Still hill./Far star./Snow aglow"). According to an author's note, the structure of the story-poem was inspired by an ancient writing pattern called chiasmus, "a format that creates a kind of mirror image." Bright watercolor pictures capture perfectly the downcast faces of the characters when they are stuck inside during a snowstorm ("Sad lad./Sad dad"), their expressions of happiness and excitement during their nocturnal adventure on the red sled ("Go! Go!/Whoa! Whoa!"), and their cozy contented smiles as they enjoy hot chocolate back home afterward ("Snug hug"). This is a great book for storytime and one-on-one sharing, and beginning readers will be able to follow the simple language presented in large black script.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT
It's a grand to give, but honestly it's pretty fun to receive, too! Today wraps up the book giveaways for this year, but there will be many more in 2016--some new authors and new books, but also authors you know and books you've come to love. Wishing you all the joy and wonder of the season! ~Clara
Dear Friends,
In this post, my dear friend and author of many picture books for children, Patricia Thomas, talks about her inspiration for her newest book, Mouse's Christmas Cookie, and about her delight in the Christmas season.
Patricia Thomas writes. . .
Okay. I confess. I am a Christmas junkie. I love everything about it: the decorations, the lights, the music, the food, the shopping. I even love wrapping. It’s a chance for non-artist me to turn a box into a work of art. Best of all, though, I love the stories. From Dickens’ beloved
Christmas Carol to that much newer classic,
The Grinch That Stole Christmas, those wonderful stories help us focus on the true heart and meaning of the season.
One of my favorites, perhaps lesser known is
Gift of the Magi. In this classic tale by O. Henry, two poor, young newlyweds, determined to give their loved one the perfect gift, each sacrifice a prized possession in the attempt to do so. That story of unselfish generosity was the inspiration for my own Christmas book,
Mouse’s Christmas Cookie.
The book also, incidentally, uses many of my own favorite memories in telling the tale: Jingle bell ornaments, Santa and sleigh on the mantle, Christmas stockings, and of course, trains. But it’s the mischievous mouse and a very determined cat that eventually express the Magi’s spirit of giving.
Thanks, Patricia, for sharing your heartwarming inspiration for
Mouse's Christmas Cookie! It puts me in the joyful spirit of the season!
Now, something about the author in her own words:I think I was destined to be a writer. I discovered the magic of rhyming words about as soon as I could talk; had my first poem published in
Jack and Jill magazine when I was eight and knew immediately what my path would be.
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| Author Patricia Thomas |
I grew up on a farm in western Pennsylvania, earned my degree from Penn State University, then worked as a copywriter and editor in just about every facet of the advertising business. Along the way, I married and raised a family of four—which has expanded to include in-law children, fourteen grandchildren, and eleven (soon to be thirteen great-grandchildren, which gives away my age unmercifully). Also along the way, I discovered that I was a children’s book writer.
Maybe it was my love of words and rhyme...or maybe my wacky sense of humor...or maybe it was having children of my own...or maybe it was all of this that led me to write my first book,
"Stand Back, Said the Elephant, “I’m Going to Sneeze.” Thousands of copies (I have no idea how many) and more than 40 years later, kids are still giggling over the Elephant.
Rhyme is not my only medium, though. My books, stories, and articles cover a spectrum of styles, from the lyrical
Firefly Mountain (named best book K-3, 2008 by the Poetry Center at Passaic College) …to
Nature's Paintbox: A Seasonal Gallery in Art and Verse, an original poetic approach to nonfiction (a Booklinks lasting connection in poetry) …to such zany, nonsense verse classics as
“There Are Rocks in My Socks,” Said the Ox to the Fox, The One-and-Only, Super-Duper, Golly-Whopper, Jim Dandy, Really Handy Clock Tock Stopper, and of course, the Elephant, which has been featured on the PBS Storytime series and even on Captain Kangaroo. In fact, the Elephant has gone multi-lingual. It is now published in a Korean edition, and most recently, I worked with a talented German composer to turn the Elephant into an operetta for children’s theater—produced in both German and English
A recent picture book,
Red Sled, is written in a unique, deceptively simple style, based on an ancient writing form—but, as it turns out, is perfect for young readers. Among its numerous enthusiastic reviews are those from
School Library Journal, Booklinks, and
Horn Book, plus a starred review from
Kirkus. My articles and stories have appeared in such magazines as
Faces and
Appleseeds, covering subjects from Arthurian legends to the Loch Ness monster to Benjamin Franklin.
My newest picture book is
Mouse’s Christmas Cookie, a story for young readers, told mainly in onomatopoeia sounds—except for a single line of dialogue: “Stop, Mouse!” called out by a determined cat who pursues an equally determine mouse through the book. But the chase is not about what a reader might think.
I teach a college-accredited course in writing for children for the Institute of Children’s Literature, and present writing workshops for children and adults, while also serving as senior writer/editor in the Communications and Marketing Department at Marywood University.
Great News: Author Patricia Thomas is giving away an autographed copy of
Mouse’s Christmas Cookie to one lucky reader who leaves a comment! The winner will be announced on Friday, December 11th! What do you love about the Holiday Season? We'd love to know! Check out Mouse's Christmas Cookie on amazon by clicking on the link below:Patricia Thomas will make a guest appearance again in March for the release of a new book, GREEN BEAN! GREEN BEAN! Sounds intriguing, doesn't it?
Dear friends,
What a pleasure for us to see so many of you join the Rock Star Santa Party! Thank you so much! The WINNER generated by Random.org is. . . Amy Flederbach.
**********************************
CONGRATULATIONS, AMY!!!
(Please e-mail me: claragillowclark(at)gmail(dot)com with your mailing address and the name of the child for whom you'd like it personalized!!!)
Don't worry, dear readers, if Random.org didn't pick you this time, we have another Christmas picture book giveaway next week and many more giveaways coming in 2016! Be sure to check out this amazing video for Gayle C. Krause's young adult novel, RATGIRL:
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| RATGIRL: SONG OF THE VIPER |
RATGIRL: Song of the Viper – a retelling of The Pied Piper set in a dystopian future with global warming. Available Amazon Link below:
http://www.amazon.com/Ratgirl-Viper-Gayle-C-Krause/dp/0991190408/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1448115242 sr=8-1keywords=ratgirl+song+of+the+viper
The book trailer can be viewed at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRrVuYxmVFwIf you'd like to purchase ROCK STAR SANTA as a Christmas present, you can order it through Scholastics Book Club. http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/rock-star-santa#cart/cleanupNext up on the Holiday Book Giveaway is Patricia Thomas and her very Christmassy picture book: Mouse's Christmas Cookie
LIVE IN CONCERT – ONE NIGHT ONLY!
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| ROCK STAR SANTA--BACK COVER |
Children love Christmas and Santa. And together the combination can’t be beat. Put Santa in a unique setting (a concert stage), give him Mick Jagger’s sunglasses, Steven Tyler’s scarf, and a rockin’ reindeer band and you’ve got the makings of a fun Christmas story that puts a whole new spin on what happens Christmas Eve.It’s Christmas Eve. The tree is lit and children await Santa’s arrival, only they’re not tucked snuggly in their beds dreaming of sugarplums. They’re stomping and clapping at a Christmas rock concert, where Santa is the “star.” Santa’s snow-white hair is in a ponytail and he’s ready to rock. The rowdy reindeer band includes Donner on electric bass, eerily resembling Keith Richard. Blitzen has a Paul Stanley-like star painted on his eye as he plays the drums, and you can’t help but notice the resemblance of Comet to Slash, as he shoots across the stage. It’s an original, modern day retelling of a Christmas classic, but what happens on this night before Christmas is rockin’.
ROCK STAR SANTA is proud to take his place among real ROCK STARS. The powerful sound of electric guitars, pounding bass, and crashing drums inspired Rock Star Santa’s birth. |
| Author with Rock Star Santa Fans and Santa Doll |
Shortly after attending a Trans-Siberian Orchestra Christmas concert, I penned the verses for Rock Star Santa—my interpretation of a rock concert of kids. Written in lyrical rhyme, it’s a rollicking night before Christmas with a surprise twist.Rock Star Santa has fans around the world. He performed over 157,000 concerts in the United States, Canada, England, and the Caribbean. |
| REAL ROCK STAR SANTA WITH KIDS FROM MONTSERRAT |
He was even portrayed by a “real-life” rock star at his performance in Montserrat, British West Indies. Peter Fileul, keyboard player for the Climax Blues Band, so graciously agreed to be the “real-life” ROCK STAR SANTA.
And this year he’s the star of the Kindergarten holiday performance in Melbourne, Australia. QUOTES & REVIEWS HERE:
http://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/weblog/2009/11/20-of-the-best-kids-christmas-books.html/Rock Star Santa by Gayle C. Krause (Author), Will Terry (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 3-7
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Scholastic
Holiday themes to expect: Santa
TCBR analysis: Kids will really enjoy the energy from this wildly fun take on Santa Claus.
Publisher’s synopsis: Santa Claus Live In Concert, One Night Only!
Gayle’s short stories and poems can be found in Hopscotch for Girls, Boy’s Quest, Highlights and various anthologies. She’s the author of
Scheherazade’s Secret, a retelling of the Arabian Night’s Tale, and RATGIRL: SONG OF THE VIPER.
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| RATGIRL: SONG OF THE VIPER |
RATGIRL: Song of the Viper – a
retelling of The Pied Piper set in a dystopian future with global warming. Available from THE Amazon Link below:
http://www.amazon.com/Ratgirl-Viper-Gayle-C-Krause/dp/0991190408/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1448115242&sr=8-1&keywords=ratgirl+song+of+the+viper
The book trailer can be viewed at:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRrVuYxmVFw |
| ROCK STAR SANTA--FRONT COVER |
Are you ready to rock? Santa and his rowdy reindeer band bring down the house on Christmas Eve! If you'd like to purchase ROCK STAR SANTA as a Christmas present, you can order it through Scholastics Book Club. http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/rock-star-santa#cart/cleanupSo what do you love most about Christmas? If you like the exact same thing Rock Star Santa does, he’ll be sending you a signed copy of his book. Just leave your comment below for a chance to win and have a “Rocking Christmas Eve!” The Winner will be announced on Saturday, December 5th. Thanks for stopping by!!!You can contact Gayle at the links below:
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| Author Gayle C. Krause |
Website – www.gaylckrause.com
Twitter @GeeCeeK
Blog – http://thestorytellersscroll.blogspot.com
The winner of this week's Holiday Giveaway for K.L.Going's wonderful new book, PIECES OF WHY is Leslie Widener
CONGRATULATIONS, Leslie!!! Please send me an e-mail with your address and to whom you'd like the book personalized: claragillowclark(at)gmail(dot)com.
Don't forget to visit K.L.'s website: www.klgoing.com
0 Comments on CONGRATULATIONS TO THE LUCKY WINNER!!! as of 11/28/2015 11:57:00 AM
Dear Friends,
Please welcome my very dear friend and Award Winning (and brilliant) author, K.L. Going, to the Holiday Bookfest and giveaway! Despite her many accolades and achievements, KL is an all around fabulous and grounded person!
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| K.L. Going |
BIO--K.L. Going is the award winning author of numerous books for children and teens. Her first novel, Fat Kid Rules the World was named a Michael Printz Honor Book by the American Library Association, and was included on YALSA’s Best Books for Young Adults list and their list of Best Books for the Past Decade. Her books have been Booksense picks, Scholastic Book Club choices, Junior Library Guild selections, NY Public Library Best Books for the Teenage, and winners of state book awards. They’ve been featured by Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Kirkus, and Children's Book Council as Best Books of the year. Her work has also been published in Korea, Italy, Japan, Germany, and the UK, and her novel Fat Kid Rules the World is now an independent film. It premiered at the SXSW film festival and won an Audience Award.
K.L. began her career working at one of the oldest literary agencies in New York City. She used this inner knowledge of publishing to write Writing and Selling the Young Adult Novel -- a how-to book for aspiring writers, published by Writer's Digest. She has also written short stories for several anthologies and currently has multiple picture books under contract. She lives in Glen Spey, NY where she both writes and runs a business critiquing manuscripts. She’s also a mom to the world’s cutest little boy. (That's the truth!)
To visit KL on-line go to www.klgoing.com, www.facebook.com/klgoing, and http://twitter.com/#!/KLGoing. Music as Inspiration by K.L. Going
Many people ask about the sources of inspiration for my novels. Honestly, there are many of them: personal experiences, artwork, events in the news, an overheard conversation … but the most consistently powerful is music.
Fat Kid Rules the World was inspired by the music of Nirvana and the in-your-face bravado of vintage punk rock.
King of the Screwups celebrated the wild antics of glam rock.
Even
Saint Iggy got its title thanks to one of my favorite musicians, Iggy Pop, with his larger-than-life personality and awkward mix of good guy and bad boy.
My latest novel,
Pieces of Why, is also infused with music.
Pieces of Why is the story of Tia, a young girl growing up in New Orleans who must come to terms with her father being in prison for murder. The plot is shaped by the deep soul of gospel music and the setting is infused with the distinctive strains of New Orleans zydeco and jazz.
Why is music such a powerful well-spring of inspiration? I think it’s because music captures the essential element of writing:
emotion. Writers often talk about plot, character, and setting, and those are all important, but emotion is every bit as crucial, both for the author as we craft our text and for the reader as they experience the story.
My best tip for aspiring authors? Don’t leave out the emotion! And if you find yourself blocked, try letting music move your mind and soul. You might be surprised by the results.
Review Quotes:
Going’s new novel, with its nicely realized New Orleans setting, is a tender, accomplished story about the coming-of-age of a girl whose good intentions are challenged by uncertainties and her efforts to do what is right, even when that’s frightening and painful. Readers will empathize with Tia and wish her well as she struggles to deal with the truth and hold on to her dream.”—Michael Cart,
Booklist Surrounded by a strong supporting cast, Tia is a sympathetic protagonist searching for that joy, and the answers she needs to rediscover her voice come from some unexpected sources.
Going (Fat Kid Rules the World) skillfully tackles topics of race, class, and violence in a moving testament to family and friendship, love and loss, and the power of forgiveness.”—
Publishers WeeklyRead more: www.klgoing.com Pieces of Why – Playlist
This is the list of songs I imagine would be on the Pieces of Why Soundtrack! Enjoy!
1. When the Saints Go Marching In performed by Louis Armstrong – Classic New Orleans!
2. Come on Children, Let's Sing performed by Mahalia Jackson – Mahalia Jackson is one of Ms. Marion and Tia's favorite singers and this song showcases the spirit of gospel music.
3. His Eye Is On the Sparrow performed by Whitney Houston – Whitney Houston is another one of Tia's favorites; this is an example of a slower gospel song.
4. Banks of the Pontchartrain performed by Nanci Griffith – Tia's mom listens to Nanci Griffith; Lake Ponchartrain is located nearby.
5. Amazing Grace – performed by The Mississippi Mass Choir – Here's an adult gospel choir showing us how it's done!
6. Deep River performed by Mahalia Jackson – This is the song that Ms. Marion sings when she gives Tia her lesson.
7. There is Hope performed by Mississippi Children's Choir – This is exactly the kind of song I imagine Tia's choir singing.
8. My Zydeco Shoes – performed by Zydeco All-Stars – Not only is zydeco a classic New Orleans sound, but it's also the type of music Keisha's folks would dance to at Le Bon Temps Roule.
9. Burn -- performed by One Voice Children's Choir – Another example of what I imagine the Rainbow Choir singing; one of the leads reminds me so much of Tia! (Available on YouTube)
10. Heal the World -- performed by CBS Children's Choir (of Seoul Korea) – Children's voices are so powerful! I love the fact that we can watch and listen to singers from all around the world. (Available on YouTube)
11. Note to God -- performed by Charice – This is the song Tia imagines singing for the Raven woman.
12. Pyramid -- performed Charice (featuring Iyaz) – This is Keisha and Tia's favorite song that they sing with Kenny at the end.
Thanks for sharing with us, KL.
Your post got me thinking about what is the most powerful source of inspiration for my writing. Music is a source, but for me the power comes from nature--long walks in the woods and on the dirt roads where I live and reading poetry. So, dear reader, what about you? What are your sources for inspiration in your writing or in your other creative pursuits?
Please leave a comment below for a chance to win an autographed copy of
Pieces of WhyYou can just say, "Hi," share your favorite song, or tell us what inspires you--we'd love that! THANK YOU! Don't forget to visit KL's website to learn more about her books and school visits:
www.klgoing.com We'll be back on Saturday with more from KL and I'll announce the WINNER of
Pieces of Why!!!!
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| Lindsay in her Studio |
Dear Friends,
Please welcome my friend, the multi-talented Lindsay Barrett George, who offers a glimpse of the inner workings of a creative mind. Her thoughts will delight and inspire you! Now, here's LINDSAY and her writing pearls of wisdom. . . (
Details for the book giveaway of Maggie's Ball at the bottom of the post!)The idea for Maggie’s Ball came from a few sources:
-- a Popeye sing-along from the 1950’s (follow the bouncing ball)
-- the Sony Bravia TV commercial – where you see thousands of bouncing colored balls
descending down a SF city street
--my friend Mary Maxon’s dog – Tobey, now gone – who would drop his favorite ball down the stairs and then catch it… the ball
bounced
and bounced
and bounced…
Tobey loved playing ‘Fetch’, even if by himself
-- and, the fact that my puppy
Maggie and I played ‘Fetch’ every day with her
yellow ball (lots of bouncing!)
REVIEWS OF MAGGIE'S BALL: "A consistent, directional progression of the story, large, easy-to-read type, the challenge of finding the characters and naming the objects and places, and the gentle, sweet ending make Maggie’s adventure a perfect title for young readers, who will want their own pup to play with by tale’s end.” --Kirkus *starred* review
School Library Journal PreS—An eager little dog is looking for someone to play with when her
ball bounces down a hill into town. A colorful spread shows the park and four buildings set around it, with many children and adults playing and going about their business.
Maggie searches for her
ball everywhere, circling the town and looking in all the shop windows. The illustrations are bright and big, as is the minimal text, making the oversize book a winner for preschool storytimes as well as for individual perusings where the ample small details will fascinate children. Eventually,
Maggie ends up disconsolately resting near a bench occupied by a girl reading—but wait—is there a
yellow ball next to the bench? The little girl asks
Maggie to play
ball with her, and the pup delightedly complies.
The pictures of the dog bursting with joy and happiness when she finds her ball and a friend are priceless.—
Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LAThoughts on Process. . .There is no intelligent way to talk about the creative process. Great ideas – when they arrive - hang in the air. And ideas don’t come from me, but to me. I collect, store, safe-keep them… I let them simmer and out they pop!
You CANNOT lose faith in the fact that this process--this simmering--will happen - again.
It does …but in it’s own good time.
Some thoughtful words for readers/lovers of books for children. . .Maybe that a picture book is its own ‘thing’… and that every stroke, every word is there because someone - the author or illustrator – either painted it or wrote it. You start with a bank page and – you want to create an experience for a child, one stroke at a time. One word -- and it has to be the exact right word – one word at a time.
I LOVE making books for children – they are the best audience - and they believe in the
magic that lies between the covers of a book. That expectation of something extraordinary that might happen –
when you turn a page… is part of why I love the bookmaking process. And of course, the children…to delight them and to connect with them – that’s the best part.
More about Lindsay and her wonderful picture books: Lindsay Barrett George’s books have been picked as
Outstanding Science Books for Children,
American Bookseller Pick of the Lists, and have received
Children’s Literature Choice Awards.
Box Turtle at Long Pond was chosen as a
Children’s Book of the Year by the Library of Congress.
Lindsay received the
Carolyn Field Award (1989), and the
Drexel Award (2007).
Inside Mouse/Outside Mouse was chosen as the first selection in Pennsylvania’s
‘One Book Every Young Child’ initiative.
Lindsay began her career in the children’s book field as a book designer in a New York City publishing house. She has combined a fine arts background with her graphic design experience to produce books that, hopefully, make the animals she cares about come alive for children.
Lindsay lives with her husband, as well as a sweet mini-Dachshund, a big brown dog, 5 cats, and a very handsome duck in Northeast Pa. For more about Lindsay, her books, and her
school visits, check out her website:
lindsaybarrettgeorge.com The #Giveaway: Lindsay is generously donating a signed copy of Maggie's Ball to one lucky reader, and it can be personalized just for YOU! All you have to do for a chance to win is leave a comment on the post. Winner will be announced on Saturday, November 21st. Thanks for stopping by!
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A legend, passed down through eons of time, generation after generation, was told and retold. Furthermore, as far as I knew, there wasn’t a legend of Michigan! I was born and raised in Michigan. My family roots run deep, way back to when Michigan was a wilderness territory, and my Native American roots go back even further. So, why wasn’t I told this legend when I was a kid?
The Legend of the Cape May Diamond, illustrated by E.B. Lewis, came next. It begins in a time long past, when the Delaware River was called the Wehittck and flowed through an ancient land called Lenapehoking, the ancestral homeland of the Lenape people.
Trinka Hakes Noble is the award-winning author of over thirty picture books including The Scarlet Stockings Spy (IRA Teachers’ Choice 2005), The Last Brother, The Legend of the Cape May Diamond, The Legend of Michigan and Apple Tree Christmas, which she wrote and illustrated. Other titles include The Orange Shoes (IRA Teachers’ Choice 2008), The Pennsylvania Reader, The New Jersey Reader, Little New Jersey, Little Pennsylvania and The People of Twelve Thousand Winters. Ms. Noble also wrote the ever-popular Jimmy’s Boa series and Meanwhile Back at the Ranch, both featured on PBS’s Reading Rainbow. Her many awards include ALA Notable Children’s Book, Booklist Children’s Editors’ Choice, IRA-CBC Children’s Choice, Learning: The Year’s Ten Best, plus several state reading awards and Junior Literary Guild selections. 
So glad to see you again. I've missed you! Can't wait to hear of your surprise.
Thank you, Janet! I've missed you, too!
I'm glad to hear, YES, I'M WRITING! That's always a good reason to be away. BTW, finally finished the historical fiction article you answered questions for. It will be live at the end of the month. Thanks for stopping by my blog, too. :)
Thanks so much, Margo. I'll spread the word when the post is up on WOW!
So glad to know you're writing. So am I. And loving it as much as ever. Hope that's the case with you as well.
Kathy, Great to hear that you're writing, too. Please get in touch when you come East so we can get together. Just got home from Highlights Foundation!