How to use this Page

Ever heard of a Blog Tag Tour? I get tagged to answer four questions then tag three other authors to do the same. Vicky Alvear Shecter tagged me to answer some questions today... I will tag Janice Hardy, Alison Ashley Formento, and Michelle Knudsen. Read on...

1. What are you working on right now?
     I just finished the copy edits for A BIRD ON WATER STREET so now I talk to my publicist a good bit as we try to line up getting blurbs and putting some marketing in place. SO BIZARRE! It's getting close! The soft e-release will be this October with the actual print date in May of 2014.
     I'm also finishing up a set of four picture books for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. These is a feel-good project of books for new mothers, which doctors will hand out for free. The talk about proper nutrition, screen time, activity, and hydration to help mothers fight potential obesity and raise healthy children. I'll share more soon.

2. How does it differ from other works in the genre?
     A BIRD ON WATER STREET is mid-grade historical fiction about a boy growing up around the closing of the copper mine in his southern Appalachian home. It's extremely environmental and, I hope, inspiring. The educational value of the book will be quite strong and fit in well with common core. And I can't wait to do school visits and show the complicated background and history of the mining industry.
     The picture books are something completely new. English on one side and Spanish on the other, they are a proactive way to fight obesity, encourage literacy, give books, and help new mothers. I mean, truly, there is NO downside to this project!!

3. Why do you write what you do?
     With A BIRD ON WATER STREET I never felt I chose to write it at all. I've always felt like I was chosen. It's been a huge responsibility and I look forward to sharing it with the dozens of people I interviewed and the Copperhill, Tennessee community itself. This book belongs to them.
     Truly, most of my stories just come to me. Although that doesn't make them easy to create - far from it. It's my job to do the work to make them just right. And it is WORK!

4. What is the hardest part about writing?
     Giving yourself over to a novel is tough. Sometimes it will take me days to circle into my writing. Because I'm most effective when I enter 'the zone.' The problem is, the zone is not a very comfortable place to be. It's almost like going into a trance - that can last for months. You live and breathe your story and characters, often at the neglect of the very real events and people around you. Even so, once in the zone, I don't want to leave it!

Add a Comment

Travis Jonker of 100 Scope Notes (syndicated by School Library Journal) has gathered the most interesting graph I've seen in some time... It shows the publication month of Newberry winners form 1983—2013.

The data is pretty clear and somewhat surprising. CLICK HERE to read Travis' post on why...

Add a Comment

Full title: LATE BLOOMERS: WHY DO WE EQUATE GENIUS WITH PRECOCITY? by Malcolm Gladwell, The New Yorker October 20, 2008

     Gads I needed to read this! I bet you do too. Most of my writer/illustrator friends are not prodigies. They are not young. They are mid-something, struggling to get it right. Trying this, trying that, frustrated, giving up, starting over. Me too. Turns out - that's okay. There is nothing lost from not coming out of the box a formed genius. It is just the workings of a different creative mind - an experimental vs. conceptual mind...

     Galenson’s idea that creativity can be divided into these types—conceptual and experimental—has a number of important implications. For example, we sometimes think of late bloomers as late starters. They don’t realize they’re good at something until they’re fifty, so of course they achieve late in life. But that’s not quite right.

     The Cézannes of the world bloom late not as a result of some defect in character, or distraction, or lack of ambition, but because the kind of creativity that proceeds through trial and error necessarily takes a long time to come to fruition... ...Cézanne was trying something so elusive that he couldn’t master it until he’d spent decades practicing.

     And Gladwell backs up his argument with examples - tons of glorious examples - of the ages top creators made their masterpieces. Most were older than you'd think.
There's so much pressure in art to blow onto the scene as a young phenom, creators sometimes feel rushed to get it right and FAST. (I did, anyhow.) And phenoms do exist, which just nails the coffin all the tighter. But while these artists are profound and talented, their approach is one of conceptualization - finding. Whereas the experimental artist's approach is one of searching - which takes time. Neither is wrong or less valuable. They are completely different.
     Anyhow - I'm trying to summarize an entire article which may have just changed my life. Experimental vs. Conceptual. I know which one I am, how about you?
     (Click the title to go read the whole article.)

Add a Comment

This may sound like an odd connection to make on my blog, but I recently read this article at the Atlantic, "Why Clarence Thomas Uses Simple Words in His Opinions," and it struck a cord with me as a writer.
     Many people, when they finally sit down to write THEIR BOOK, fill their prose with flowery speech, dialogue, set-building, interior thoughts... the list goes on.
     And yet, when it comes to picture books, the art is to relay the most meaning with the fewest words. It's why every word counts in a picture book. None can be spared for anything outside the main purpose of the story. (And preferably for the layers of meanings which reach out to young and old readers alike.)
     Like Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) said, "If I'd had more time, I would have written a shorter letter."
     It takes work to fine tune one's exact meaning in a clear and cohesive way. Truly, I think Clarence Thomas said it beautifully. It's a lesson for picture book writers (and lawyers). Go have a read!

Add a Comment

A friend of mine has been struggling with finding time for himself because he's a key volunteer in his church and people lean on him - maybe too much. There's no time left for him to take care of himself - so he says.
     It reminds me of when I started out in this business of kids lit, I was a work-a-holic. I was in my office 24/7 with long hours, because I knew if I wasn't working, things weren't going to move forward in my career.
     It nearly drove me into the ground.
     One of the hardest parts of working for yourself (or being in charge of your own schedule) is realizing that you have to TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF FIRST.
     It's the old airplane rule - if oxygen masks drop from the overhead, you put on your mask first, THEN you help the person next to you. Because if you try to help the other person first, you may not be conscious long enough to finish the job and that would mean two people down instead of one.
     You can't give back, and you can't create, if you've let yourself drain down to empty. You've got to fill yourself up first. However you do that - through sleep, exercise, diet. Whatever it is, you've got to do it. And if you do - you'll find you have more to give, and more energy to be productive, than you ever did before.

Add a Comment

"Artists are emotional creatures," says Steve Anderson in the opening of his letter shared on The Animator Letters Project. "But there are days when our emotions get the best of us." He goes on to describe one of the most harmful traits of artists - comparing ourselves to others - and advises us to only compare ourselves to ourselves.
     His advice is sound and isn't just for animators - it's good for all us creators. Listen below and/or CLICK HERE to actually see his letter.

Add a Comment

Okay - so I may not do this every week - but it's a good goal. This one took two evenings to create (I either draw or make trolls while we watch tv). I use a simple mechanical pencil (nothing fancy) and a pencil-shaped white eraser (it comes in a plastic dispenser thingie) on a nice drawing pad - paper that has a tooth to it. I sketch lightly, then go in with harder lines. I erase a lot. Then, once I have the drawing down, I start shading. I probably could have pushed this one even further.
  Now I've got it in Photoshop to color. I'm trying some new techniques, fiddling - fiddling. I'll show it to you when it's finished.

Add a Comment

This is a pretty big idea for artists, and one more tool to protect ourselves from copyright infringement:

Add a Comment

This is a pretty big idea for artists, and one more tool to protect ourselves from copyright infringement:

Add a Comment

My mid-grade novel is going to publishers. Yup. Two and a half years worth of work - finally heading out the door. My agent emailed me while I was on vacation in Seattle. I knew she'd be getting back to me soon, but wasn't sure if it would be a 'sign off' or another revision request. I was beyond thrilled to read it was the first!
     So now my baby is on its way into the world, to stand on its own, to be judged objectively and with luck, found to be worthy. Send good vibes!

Add a Comment

OMG. So I generated a QR code for dulemba.com at Kerem Erkan's QR Cod and 2D Code Generator, and I got this:

Then I installed the Qrafter - QR Code Reader app from iTunes onto my iPhone. With it, I scanned my QR code and up popped.... the URL to my website with a direct link!!!!
     Can you imagine the possibilities??? Scanning bar codes (or these new fancy QR codes) is becoming the wave of the future to instantly access more information about the products we buy. So, I can add my QR code to my bookmarks and postcards and VOILA! People will be able to instantly access my website by scanning my handouts. HOW COOL IS THAT?
     Want to try it for yourself? Download the app, then scan my QR code - right here on your computer screen. Click the URL and you'll be able to visit dulemba.com on you cell phone too. Groovy!!

Add a Comment

A few weeks back I enjoyed a Virtual Visit with Miss Emily's elementary class all the way up in Minnesota. Hi Guys!
     That's what's so awesome about Skype visits - they didn't have to fly me in and yet we were still able to share lots of fun information together. It also filled a technology requirement for the school. This was the view from my end:

     Did you know that many authors and illustrators offer 10 to 15 minute Skype visits for free (including me). You can find them at:

     Interested in asking me to speak to your students via Skype? While a short visit is free, I do ask for a few things up front:

1) Students I speak to have read at least three of my books. (You can see my titles at http://dulemba.com/index_books.html.)

2) Students have spent some time in my website learning about me and my books to provide informed questions. http://dulemba.com

3) The students and/or teachers have prepared questions prior to the chat, and somebody hangs around for tech backup (you may need your cell phone).

4) I can use a screen capture of the visit to promote my Skype visits on my blog.

If all that sounds okay to you, I'd be happy to virtually stop by! And remember, I also do one-hour Skype visits for $250 as well as in-person visits. More information is available at http://dulemba.com/index_visits.html.

Add a Comment

So a few weeks ago I went on retreat with my Cheese Whizzes (the official name of my critique group) to the North Georgia mountains. Through a long weekend of laughing, playing, deep discussions and too much good food, we also shared our work.
     I must say, I love my critique group. These are some of the most talented ladies on the planet and my respect for every single one of them is huge. They are also incredibly intelligent and inspiring. Such open minds, yet with sincere convictions, are hard to find in today's world and I like to think there's a reason we found each other. They are, from the top left - Vicky Alvear Shecter, Moi, Robyn Hood Black, seated from left, Gail Karwoski, Kim Siegelson, and Mary Ann Rodman.

     Not only did I have the great pleasure of reading the progress of their amazing works, but I also received fabulous feedback on my novel. And I'm thrilled to report it was mostly positive! "Smooth as a smoothie," and "It's just soooo good!" Let me tell you - getting comments like that from these ladies was a very big deal for me.
     They did have a few suggestions. I'm moving a flashback scene to the opening scene and making my main character, Archie, a bit more lovable. Not hard things to do. I'm thick in the middle of the edits now and hope to have this version (I'm hoping the last version) back to my agent at the end of the month. Woosie!

And I admit, I am totally double posting on this one as it first appeared on my new blog about writing: Love My Muse.

Add a Comment

With permission from the fabulous Jane Yolen, I share the poem she posted on her facebook page recently:

How does a dinosaur deal with rejection?
By kicking the table, a slight misdirection?
By taking a shower and shouting in pain,
and cursing the editors, each one by name?
No, a dinosaur reads each critique with great care,
and figures out which one's the one she should share.
Courageous, she smiles and she says nothing rash,
than rips up the thing, throws it into the trash.

My job here is done.
©2011 Jane Yolen All Rights Reserved

Awesome!

Add a Comment

Did you notice dulemba.com has a new look? (If you subscribe via RSS, stop by and check it out at dulemba.com.)
     I've been meaning to make my design wider for some time now as that seems to be the trend of most computer monitors these days. But I'm also trying out something new. First, some background...
     Did you know I've been creating my coloring pages since May of 2007? That's almost four years now that I've been creating a new image every single Tuesday for you to download - for FREE. I love creating them for you and am thrilled you guys appreciate them so much! Thank you for all your wonderful comments, creations and support!
     I'm happy to say, Coloring Page Tuesdays has grown ridiculously popular. Here are some numbers:

over 1.5 million page loads in 2010
over 130,000 page loads per month
over 80,000 unique visitors per month
over 4,000 page views per day
over 2,500 subscribers to the weekly newsletter

     Can you believe it? Me neither!
     With numbers like that, sooo many people have asked me 'how much money do you make from your website'? (Pardon me while I clean up my spit-out milk...) It became obvious it was time to... monetize.
     That means I am going to start accepting gracious sponsors to host ads on dulemba.com for products and services you all use during your card-making, class time, parent time, and reading time anyway. You may notice a few white boxes around the site where they will hopefully go, like at the bottom of this post. (For any potential sponsors out there - click on a box to learn more or click the "sponsor" link on my nav bar above.)
     Don't worry - I still don't and won't share your names and/or email subscriptions with anybody (that's just wrong). But I hope you won't mind a few ads when you come by to visit.
     More than anything, I'd love to know what you think, both about the new design as well as my new endeavor. Please leave your thoughts in a comment below!! And thanks so much for your continued support!

Add a Comment

I've been following a beautiful blog lately called I am a Child (children in art history). It's the creation of one "Marco" although I can't seem to find more information than that. He's posting classic paintings through history - all featuring children.
     It's fascinating to see not only the beautiful paintings, but how the children are rendered, era clothing, their activities, etc. Definitely inspiration material for our own children's book illustration work!
     The painting above is by Fredierick Morgan (1847 - 1927). It's called Bob Apple. Isn't it lovely?

Add a Comment

I originally posted this article on the new e is for book blog. In case you haven't discovered it yet, here's a preview of the type of topics we cover there...

     There's a lot of confusion between Apps and eBooks. Despite the lump term of this being the "eBook revolution," Apps and eBooks are not the same thing.
     While eBooks can mean anything from a .pdf to other formats (click here for a comparison of eBook formats on Wikipedia), they often use what is called ePub format. Text flows within a 'frame.' Controls allow the reader to change the font, increase or decrease font size, etc. within that frame. A vignette image, video or sound bite can be embedded in the flowing text, but images cannot run off edge (bleed*) or be locked into a certain layout (because of the ability to resize text). Full illustrations as double page spreads cannot be supported, although single page images can (within the frame) as a single image or screen shot, which is the current move towards placing picture books into the ePub format. However, currently, those page shots are in black and white (on the Kindle, although not always on the iPad). The text is not adjustable. Pages are small and hard to read. So, as of this writing, ePub doesn't truly support picture books.
     Apps are a completely different animal. Apps are like mini-programs, which basically means, the sky is the limit. That's where all the interactivity can come in, with touch screen controls, sound, full bleed images, etc. Picture book apps have been called eBooks, interactive storybook apps, story apps, or children's book apps. But whatever the term used, they're awesome.
     So why aren't all books apps? Because currently, most eReaders run primarily via ePub. And it makes sense when you compare the size of what is basically a text document to the size of an interactive app. The iPhone/iTouch/iPad put apps on the map. However, even within apple, the iBookstore only represents eBooks - not apps (which is another can of worms I'll talk about later).
     That may not seem fair, but technology is changing rapidly and the two technologies are slowly meeting in the middle. They're not there yet, but give it a little time. And I do mean a 'little' - the eBook revolution is moving fast!
     Need an example? My picture book, Lula's Brew, is an app available on the iPhone/iTouch/iPad (check the version), but it is not an eBook.

*Note: As of December 15th, iBooks 1.2 now allows full bleed, double page spread layouts with zoom - a true picture book experience online. Not many exist yet, and it's not on the Kindle, but if you search for "Tron: the Movie Storybook" in iPad's iBooks, you can download a free sample. It still can't read to you, and has no interactivity like apps do, but it really is the closest thing to a traditional picture book that I've seen on an eReader so far. Bottom line - this changes everything.

View Next 25 Posts