 |
0 Comments on Something for Those Researching an Agent. as of 1/1/1900
 Apparently, I am on the right track with my social networking process. This article by Harold Underdown cites Charlesbridge’s Donna Spurlock on social media networking potential. Be sure to check out the site and read the rest of this informative look at social media and how a writer can use it to promote their books.
http://www.underdown.org/social-networking.htm 
While preparing for the SCBWI professional retreat, “Thriving in a Changing Industry: Cyber-Promotion Tools for Authors and Illustrators,” I emailed my friend Donna Spurlock, who works in the marketing department at Charlesbridge. I wanted to confirm my general sense that although things have changed from the days when authors and illustrators were just expected to do school visits and answer letters, publishers don’t want people to spend all their time marketing. Here’s what she said, which is so interesting I am quoting it in full:
“You are right, expectations are a bit higher for authors to get out and about and do something themselves. Obviously, we (CB specifically, but publishers in general) are active in social networking as much as possible, promoting the company and each season of books and getting into as much nitty-gritty about specific books and personalities as we can, but the authors and illustrators really need to take the ball and run.
     
Ginny Wierhardt knows me well, though we have never met. This article by her is so about me and lots of others that I know.
Ginny’s Fiction Writing Blog
By Ginny Wiehardt, About.com Guide to Fiction Writing
No Distractions: New Year’s Resolutions Calling
Saturday January 2, 2010
So you’ve brought in the New Year, and you’ve recovered from bringing it in, and you’re ready to make good on your writing resolutions . . . but there’s a whole world of distractions out there (starting, of course, with this Web site). It’s a good day to revisit 52 Projects’ excellent “Not-to-Do List” (“Do not turn on the television. Do not clip your nails. Do not stare at your bald spot in the mirror and begin to calculate how much time your hair has left. Do not start catching up on the DVDs that have arrived from Netflix. . . . “) And then it’s really time to get offline and get to work.
     
I am a CBI Clubhouse member and love what I am learning there. This article is one of the reasons why. Jon has gratiously allowed me to post excepts and videos from his site. Read the excerpt and then check out the link.
Four Steps to Becoming a Better Writer
Nov 30th, 2009 | By Laura Backes | Category: The Writing Process
Great writers aren’t born – they’re made. Here are some of their secrets.
 I was recently asked “Can I get published as a children’s book author if I’m not a good writer?” I was caught off guard at first, but the more I thought about it, the more I appreciated the question. The sender is aware of her limitations, but dreams of getting published anyway. She’s not suffering under the delusion that she’s the next J.K. Rowling, and I appreciate that. She’s going to look at her work with a critical eye, and search for ways to make it better. This is assuming that it’s possible to learn to write well. I believe that it is.
Very few writers have the natural ability to create vibrant, relevant, compelling stories right out of the gate. Most have to work at it. And those who see writing as a skill that is never quite mastered, requiring a lifelong devotion to the learning process, will be most successful. Where this gets tricky is that unlike other skills – such as baking a cake – there is no foolproof way to learn how to write. So while I can’t give you a one-size-fits-all method, I can offer up some ideas on how you can find the path that works best for you.
Read, read, read. Why are editors always telling aspiring authors to read piles of children’s books? Because they provide a concrete representation of what works. Be sure you read good books (check reviews or ask a librarian or teacher for recommendations). By simply reading, you’ll grasp the ebb and flow of a story, how a character is introduced and developed, the types of conflicts appropriate for each age group, how to build tension in scenes and chapters, the relation of sub-plots to the main storyline, how dialogue moves the plot along, and much more. You’ll experience firsthand how a skilled author utilizes sensory images to immerse the reader completely in the story. By comparing several authors writing for the same age group, you’ll hear different literary voices.
    
0 Comments on CBI Clubhouse Article. as of 1/1/1900
http://www.underdown.org/mf-rhyme-and-meter.htm This is a December 2005 excerpt from Musings by Margot Finke. Be sure to check out the rest of the article as it has a lot to offer a writer.
Below are a variety of excellent resources that will help you unravel the mystery of writing rhyme and meter. Craft rhyming picture books that become dog-eared with love.
“To Rhyme or Not to Rhyme” by Dori Chaconas. Read this amazing article. Dori nails the subject. Clear, precise information, and the many instructive examples make it seem easy. If you long to write great rhyme, this is one article you don’t want to miss.
Anastasia Suen: Take her picture book class if you want to study rhyme & meter. Her book, Picture Writing, is a must, if you plan to write in rhyme.
Beginners Site For Rhyme: Follow links to more advanced sections.
Poetry4kids: See how Jack Prelutsky, Shel Silverstein, Patricia Hubbell and others do it. Plus other poetry resources. Try Poetry Lessons first.
Writing Picture Books by Marisa Montes is a general introduction to writing picture books. You PB needs to have everything mentioned on this website, PLUS great rhyme and meter.
     
 Quick! What's this furry little caterpillar doing?
Use one word to describe this photo.
It's all about perspective really. It's about how things seem when we see them, hear them, taste them, feel them, or smell them. Since we've been writing with perception and our senses,, let's keep going!
Let's unleash our imaginations and dazzle our papers with words and thoughts that are free from stress or purpose!
Fantasize and be unconventional! Have fun while you write... be spontaneous.
Write about how green smells or spaghetti sounds or how a book tastes. Write about what a bell feels like or how a stomach ache looks.
This kind of activity reminds us how important our senses are when it comes to writing. It reminds us of the power of words and the wonder of language. It's all about perspective once again!
![peg080707[1]](http://peg366.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/peg0807071.jpg?w=110&h=150 "peg080707[1]") A new writer asked me today why I blog and what made me start. In all honesty, I had to think about what it was that started me off on this phase of my writing journey.
It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I began checking out the blogs of other writers. At first it seemed like all of them had at least one book out, usually more than one. I didn’t have a book out so at first I thought Not for Me.
For over a year I read all the blog I could. Gradually I began to hear about writers like myself who had writing credits but not books yet. They all seemed to be working hard at getting their stories out. I thought about it some more and finally decided to take the plunge.
In May of 2009, I wrote my first post. Looking back, it doesn’t surprise me there were only two views of the site. My blog wasn’t exactly something that other writers should be checking out. It was pretty lame.
The second month I decided if I was going to do this, I had better do it right. I started looking for new articles etc that would make my site unique. I got 92 views. But still something was missing. I needed to learn more about the technical aspects of a site. I need to know about tags, and about how to download pics from my computer as well as the internet. I need to learn what videos I could download as well as how to download videos. I need to learn how to do links so that my reader could go directly from my site to a site within an article.
By the end part of the third month, I had 97 views. It still wasn’t enough to satisfy me. I knew that I had to figure out to let possible viewers know about my blog. First, I added an email signature to all my email accounts with my Jacketflap, Twitter, Facebook Affiliates. I posted my blog url on them as well.
Then I went to Twitter.com and added my url to my profile. A simple step that led to several people checking out the blog. I got to know several other that also blogged and researched what they had done that I liked and what I wanted to do differently.
In the fourth month, things started to pick up a little. I had 200 views. While for some sites that is a drop in the bucket, I am pleased. Overall, my number of times my site being is viewed by others are on the rise.
Judging by the comments left on the site, I am happy to report that most viewers are not spammer but are real live people who are saying that they like the site.
At present, this October 7, 2009 I have 59 views. That still gives me time to match or beat my numbers from last month.
The one thing I did learn in this process is that I like to blog. I like finding things that motivate and inspire other aspiring writers.
     
I am always on the lookout for something new to share with my readers and since I know a few of you are from this part of the world, here’s the link http://soupblog.wordpress.com/
Meet birds of prey at City of Melville libraries! 26 09 2009.
If you live in Perth, Western Australia, and you’d like to do something different this school holidays – you can go to the City of Melville libraries to meet native birds of prey! This event is for children aged 5 to 12 years, and only costs $2! (Bookings are essential.) Monday 5 October 2009, 11 – 11.45 am: Canning Bridge Library, 2 Kintail Rd, Applecross. (ph: 9364 0121) Tuesday 6 October 2009, 2 – 2.45pm: Willagee Library, Cnr Winnacott and Archibald Sts, Willagee. (Ph: 9364 0170) Wednesday 7 October 2009, 1.30 – 2.15pm OR 3 – 3.45pm: Civic Square Library, 10 Almondbury Rd, Booragoon. (Ph: 9364 0138) Thursday 8 October 2009, 3 – 3.45pm: Bull Creek Library, 24 Leichardt St, Bull Creek. (Ph: 9364 1250) Friday 9 October 2009, 10 – 10.45am OR 11.30am – 12.15pm: AH Bracks Library, cnr Stock Rd & Canning Hwy, Melville. (Ph: 9364 0115)
There will be more information available soon on the City of Melville libraries’ website. Email us if you know of other cool events on at libraries this school holidays!
Not that I could attend this but as writers in any part of the world it is nice to know that these kind of events take place. As a writer, I always come away from this kind of event with something new to write about.
     
I like this game.
What's the first word or phrase that comes to your mind when I say autumn?
Ready, set, go!
View Next 25 Posts
| |
.jpeg?picon=2474)
PEG! What a wonderful interview. Thank you Becky for taking time to tell your story. I loved reading it.
God Bless.
Kelly
Kelly,
So glad you checked out the interview and liked it. Becky was so much fun to do one on. I passed on your comment to her.
Peg
Great interview Peg, interesting.
Kit
Thanks Kit. Glad to have you come to check out the interview.
Peg