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Viewing: Blog Posts Tagged with: cowboy camp, Most Recent at Top [Help]
Results 1 - 10 of 10
1. PiBoIdMo Day 1: Tammi Sauer Starts with a Title (plus a prize pack!)

tammiforsiteby Tammi Sauer

For me, the absolute hardest part about the picture book creating process is coming up with a good idea. A wow idea. An irresistible-to-editors idea.

One approach that has worked for me is to brainstorm a list of potential titles before I even know a single word of a manuscript. I keep in mind that I don’t want a book of mine to have just any title. I always try to have a title that pops. Why? The title is a writer’s first chance to make a good impression and hook a possible agent/editor/reader.

Two of my books started with a title.

One day, while waiting for my daughter to find a book at the library, I sat down on a bench. Next to me was a book on etiquette. I flipped through the book and came across the words “princess in training.” My first thought? That would make a great idea for a picture book….and…

princessintraininghres

…In fall 2012, PRINCESS IN TRAINING, illustrated by Joe Berger, made its debut.

Another day, I was playing around with words that rhymed with names. As I brainstormed, the words “Quiet Wyatt” popped into my head. QUIET WYATT recently sold to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt BFYR.

My latest manuscript is the result of a title that grabbed hold and said, “You must drop everything and write this.” So I did. A good title can be very pushy. And intoxicating.

If you want to come up with a title as a starting point, consider using these strategies:

  • Showcase a Main Character

examples: Vampirina Ballerina; Fancy Nancy; Scaredy Squirrel

  • Focus on the Setting

examples: Cowboy Camp; In the Small, Small Pond; The Library

  • Create a Sense of Suspense

examples: The Monster at the End of This Book; Do Not Open This Book

  • Utilize Fun Language Play

examples: Chicks and Salsa; Hush, Little Dragon; Llama, Llama Misses Mama

Side Note: I happen to be wildly jealous of the upcoming books There Was an Old Dragon by Penny Klostermann and Tyrannosaurus Wrecks by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen simply because I am gah-gah over those titles. Why didn’t I think of those titles?! Why?? WHY????

Your Homework Should You Choose To Accept It: Brainstorm at least five titles. That’s it. No need to know the nitty-gritty of what is to follow. Just jot down those titles and maybe, just maybe, a story will sneak up on you.

Extra Credit (because I am a true blue nerd who loves extra credit opportunities): Go to the bookstore and jot down the titles of the books you see. Perhaps one of those titles will be the perfect trigger to help you come up with your next big idea.

guestbio

Tammi Sauer has sold 16 picture books to major publishing houses. Four of those books got their start through PiBoIdMo. In addition to winning awards, Tammi’s books have gone on to do great things. Cowboy Camp was developed into a musical in Katy, Texas. Mostly Monsterly was selected for the 2012 Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories program. And Chicken Dance was released in French which makes her feel extra fancy. There’s more fun stuff at TammiSauer.com.

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Sink your teeth into this prize pack that features Tammi’s latest release: one personalized copy of NUGGET & FANG, one super shiny poster with a teacher’s guide on the back, and two Nugget tattoos that look fabulous on any bicep (or fin).

nuggetandfangprizes

Nugget & Fang is a 2009 PiBoIdMo Success Story!

This prize pack will be given away at the conclusion of PiBoIdMo. You are eligible for this prize if:

  1. You have registered for PiBoIdMo.
  2. You have commented ONCE ONLY on today’s post.
  3. You have completed the PiBoIdMo challenge. (You will have to sign the PiBoIdMo Pledge at the end of the event.)

Good luck, everyone!


10 Comments on PiBoIdMo Day 1: Tammi Sauer Starts with a Title (plus a prize pack!), last added: 11/1/2013
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2. Hallway One: Cowboy Camp

Well, yeehaw!

I spent Thursday at Maize South Elementary in Wichita, Kansas. Those buckaroos really knew how to welcome an author. Each hallway was devoted to one of my books.

Welcome to Cowboy Camp:
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A peek at the Cowboy Camp Hallway:
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Black Bart, Cowboy Camp Bad Guy
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Random Cowpokes
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The Oh-So-Important Cowboy Food Bank
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Such a rootin', tootin' good time!

Tomorrow I'll be bawk, err...I mean BACK...with the Chicken Dance Hallway.

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3. My day with the Marlow Elementary Outlaws...

On Wednesday I left the comforts of Photobucket and headed to new territory...

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Oh, I was shakin' in my boots when I discovered I was a gonna be spendin' my day with the Marlow Elementary Outlaws.

I learned mighty quickly to
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Between presentations, I wet my whistle at the local
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By the end of the day, I was fixin' to be a bona fide OUTLAW.
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I even got a t-shirt to prove it.
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Thank you, Marlow Elementary Outlaws! You make bad guys look good!

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4. Giddyup!

I made front page news. For a good reason.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/article.aspx?subjectid=370&articleid=20100329_38_D1_Edmond535716&allcom=1

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5. Sometimes life can get you right here, you know?

Had a book signing in Tulsa today.

At one point, a mom, dad, and little boy about the age of 4 walked into the store. The boy saw Cowboy Camp, ran up to my table, and yelled, "I HAVE THAT BOOK!!!!"

The dad smiled. "We have to read it to him ALL the time."

What a nice thrill to know that Avery has such a good home. :)

* * * * * * *

Soon afterward, an aunt wanted three copies of Chicken Dance. We were chatting and I found out she had already purchased a copy of the book earlier in the month and had read it with her nieces. She told me they had all laughed and laughed upon hearing the story. Today one of those nieces was in the hospital recovering from open heart surgery. The aunt bought all three girls their own copies. This afternoon they were going to spend some time reading the book, laughing, and making Elvis Poultry sunglasses. (I had the makings for the craft that can be found at www.elvispoultrybooks.com.)

* * * * * * * *

Much of the time being a writer can be hard, hard, hard. But sometimes...it is beautiful.

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6. Avery hits the trail for St. Louis!

Life has been kind of crazy lately, but yesterday a really great thing happened. An oh-so-nice lady that was at one of my school visits last year contacted me. She wanted 12 signed copies of COWBOY CAMP to go along with her presentation at this week's National Ag in the Classroom Conference which is being held in St. Louis. The next thing I knew, one of her colleagues from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture latched onto the book and wanted Every Copy I Had ASAP.

Sooo...I grabbed my Sharpie and signed my stash of 65 copies (I always have extras on hand...you know, in case the National Ag in the Classroom people come calling).

Anyway, I am very grateful for the unexpected surprise.

Here's hoping you get one, too.

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7. Wyoming Rocks!

Oh, Photobucket, how I love you!

So over the weekend, I stumbled across some news (as one is apt to do when one is self-googling oneself).

COWBOY CAMP is one of twelve books that has been nominated for the 2009-2010 Buckaroo Book Award, sponsored by the Wyoming Library Association and the Wyoming Reading Council. http://ccpls.org/html/buckaroo.html.

Cowpokes, I am thrilled! The biggest reason? Wyoming students in K-3 not only nominated these books in the first place, but they are the ones who get to vote on the books next spring.

Upon discovering the news, this cowgirl said, "It's an honor to be nominated." Then she went on to say, "YEEHAW!"

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Psst. The Read Across Oklahoma event was mentioned on Cynsations today. Giddy-up!

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8. Read Across Oklahoma, Part 2 (the lots of pictures version):

Last week I had the honor of being a part of Read Across Oklahoma 2009. Oh, but it was awesome to celebrate reading with so many cowpokes!

These are just a few of the 1,500 kiddos who arrived at the OKC Zoo in honor of the event.
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After taking in some of the animal exhibits, visiting activity stations, and getting zoo tattoos, it was time to rustle up some grub courtesy of Target. In honor of Avery, no beans were included.
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Then it was off to a live, rootin', tootin' performance with Jim Garling of Guthrie, Oklahoma. Jim not only had the buckaroos actively involved in some real deal cowboy music, he taught the entire crowd how to yodel. Yodel-lay-he-hoo, people!
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Then I took the stage and kicked off the dramatization of COWBOY CAMP.
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The show was a hit! Some of the stars.......

Tammi Sauer as herself with Metropolitan Library System's Kelley Riha as Avery. Kelly was WONDERFUL at adapting the text and making it a fun and interactive program for the cast as well as the crowd.
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Michael, the oh-so-talented sound effects guy:
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Shane as Black Bart, Tammi Sauer as herself, and José as Cowboy Dan:
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This event would not have been possible without the help of hundreds of volunteers and these sponsors: OETA, Oklahoma Department of Libraries, Target, Capitol Hill High School/FCCLA, Metro Tech, Krueger Charitable Foundation, Metropolitan Library System, Chesapeake Energy, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, ZooFriends, and the OKC Zoo.

YEEHAW! Now go round up some good books and read, partners!

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9. Read Across Oklahoma--Cowboy Style!

On Tuesday, 1,500 preschoolers hustled into the OKC Zoo and were greeted by all sorts of individuals.

Like this one:
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Each preschooler was then given a hat, a bandana, and a badge. (Every buckaroo received a free copy of COWBOY CAMP, too.)
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They even got to hang out with a certain cowgirl I know fairly well.
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Why?
To celebrate literacy and the joy of reading!!!!!!!!

I feel so blessed to have been part of such an amazing event. The Read Across Oklahoma Committee, the sponsors, and countless volunteers put tons of time, energy, and HEART into creating a memorable day for lots and lots of little buckaroos.

One word captures the feeling behind it all: YEEHAW!

Tomorrow I'll post pictures of the awesome cowboy grub that was served up, the live musical entertainment, and some pictures of me with two rootin'-tootin' fellas I know and love--Cowboy Dan and Black Bart.

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10. Yee-haw! It’s the Tammi Sauer Round-up, Partner!


cowboycampTammi Sauer is the author of Cowboy Camp, a knee-slappin’, whip-snappin’, giddyup of a picture book.

I predict you’re going to be hearing a lot about Tammi soon. With several gotta-read-’em titles on the way–including Chicken Dance, Mostly Monsterly and Princess-in-Training–we can all say we knew her when!

Tammi is moseyin’ over to my blog today to talk about her trail ride from writer to published author.

Tammi, how did Cowboy Camp gallop from your desk to the bookshelves?

Cowboy Camp didn’t start at my desk, it started on my front porch.

One evening, there was an unexpected knock at the door. I opened it and was greeted by a young boy. He was selling newspaper subscriptions in an effort to go to…COWBOY CAMP. I looked at this kid with his everywhere hair and thick glasses and uncowboy-like everything and knew I had a story.

I wrote the manuscript, revised it, and sent it out in under a week—my fastest ever. Early on, Cowboy Camp made its way to three acquisitions meetings. Oh, the joy. But each time the manuscript was returned to me with regret. Oh, the agony. Many personal rejections rolled in as well. Then I discovered a house that was just starting up a picture book line. I thought, “Maybe this is it!”

I sent Cowboy Camp to Sterling Publishing. Within two weeks, I learned the manuscript was going to acquisitions. Shortly thereafter, the editor emailed and told me the acquisitions team loved the manuscript, but the house wanted to find the perfect illustrator before offering me a contract. Yes, more joy. More agony.

Months went by. I decided to send Cowboy Camp to SmartWriter’s first W.I.N.! (Write It Now!) Competition. Cowboy Camp ended up placing second in the picture book division out of more than 400 entries. I shared the news with my editor contact at Sterling. Within weeks, I had an offer. Yee-haw!

You said Cowboy Camp was your “fastest ever.” How many picture book manuscripts did you write before Cowboy Camp? Are any of those slated for publication?

I’m not sure how many picture book manuscripts came before Cowboy Camp. Maybe four or five? I do know that they were collectively awful. I consider them my “practice manuscripts.” And ha! No, none of those early works are slated for publication.

So how long had you been writing for children when you got the contract for Cowboy Camp?

tammisauerIn 2000, I started toying with the idea of writing children’s books (this meant I would write for a couple of hours one day and not write another word for the next, oh, ten months or so). I didn’t get serious about writing children’s books until the spring of 2003 when an illustrator paid a visit to my daughter’s preschool. Seeing a real live person who was involved in the creation of children’s books was the push I needed to make writing a priority in my life. I received Cowboy Camp’s offer the following year.

You have five books slated for release. Do you have an agent now, or are you continuing to submit on your own?

I have an agent. In August of 2005, after much agent research, I sent Laura Rennert at Andrea Brown Literary Agency a query for a humorous, contemporary teen novel. It wasn’t long before she asked for the manuscript. The next thing I knew, she wanted to call me. Eek! Fortunately, a miracle occurred and the phone call went well…so well in fact that I KNEW I found the right match for me and my work.

Around the time that I signed, my PB writing started to take off. And that teen novel of mine? It was getting revision request after revision request after revision request to infinity. I made the decision to put the novel on hold and focus on what I loved and did best–PBs. Laura fully supported me on my decision.

You obviously have the talent to succeed in novels. How did you come to the realization that you were a PB-writer at heart? Do you think you’ll ever go back to that YA novel?

PBs just felt more right.

I don’t think I will ever go back to that novel. There was a lot that I loved in that manuscript (the characters, the humor, the voice). But one day it occurred to me that if I was going to have a novel Out There, I’d want it to be someone’s favorite. I would want others to feel about my book the same way I had felt when I read A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban. My manuscript was nice, but it didn’t have that kind of wow factor.

What do you love most about writing picture books? Is there a particularly satisfying challenge? Are you thrilled to see your words come to life through each illustrator’s interpretation?

I can’t think of the one thing I love most. Coming up with a good idea is awesome. So is finding the perfect word, creating just the right story arc, and discovering new ways to build heart and humor into a manuscript.

As for satisfying challenges? I would have to say getting the “Yeah, baby!” from my critique partner Cynthea Liu is one of the hardest things to come by and therefore one of the most satisfying of challenges. The “Yeah, baby!” is what we give one another when a manuscript is decidedly brilliant and ready to be sent agent-ward. Believe me, getting the coveted “Yeah, baby!” is worthy of fanfare.

chickendanceIt has been a real thrill to see my words come to life through each illustrator’s interpretation. In Chicken Dance, Dan Santat created an Elvis Poultry that absolutely floored me. I recently received Scott Magoon’s sketches for Mostly Monsterly and I was equally amazed. Scott’s take on the main character and her story was better than I had ever imagined. I feel honored to be working with such talented people.

One way for children’s authors to promote their books is with school visits. You just got back from a school visit in Texas. Can you tell us about that? What is a typical Tammi Sauer visit like for the students?

I absolutely love doing school visits–especially when schools work hard to make the day an event. On my web site, I list some tips for a successful school visit and Holliday Elementary certainly made the most of it. The kids–as well as some of the faculty and staff–gussied up in their best cowboy and cowgirl gear. Cowboy grub was served. Stick horse races took place in the gym. Bandana-wrapped trail mix was passed out. A guess-the-number-of-beans contest was held in the library media center… It was truly a cowboy-themed day.

I always strive to make my school visits fun, engaging, and informative. I offer a lot of opportunities for audience participation, perform a couple of magic tricks and/or an impromptu theater experience, and do what I can to really connect with the kids. Creating a memorable and meaningful experience for students is my top goal.

Yee-haw, honey! That sounds like a rootin’-tootin’ good time!

Once your picture book is accepted, the publisher has to find an illustrator. How much input do you give your editor regarding illustrator choice?

Some houses ask for illustrator input. Some don’t. I was thrilled when my editor at Simon & Schuster asked me for an Illustrator Wish List. So fun! One of the names at the very top of my list was Scott Magoon. I was astounded when Scott signed on for Mostly Monsterly. Total writerly dream come true!

I am happy to say I have formed good email relationships with Dan Santat and Scott Magoon. They are both so funny and brilliant and beyond what I had ever hoped for as partners for my books.

How do you stand the wait until your book is released? Most picture books take 1-2 years to hit the shelves!

tammichicksI WISH it only took 1-2 years! Chicken Dance will hit the shelves three years after I received the offer. Mostly Monsterly debuts two and a half years post-offer. The waiting is pretty horrible–especially since I am not a patient person. At all.

But, wow, when little bits of news trickle in—like finding out who will illustrate an upcoming book or receiving preliminary sketches or seeing the final art for the first time–it makes for some really nice moments along the way.

Tammi,  thanks for sharing your story. Before you ride off into the sunset, what’s your best piece of advice for aspiring picture book authors?

My best piece of advice for new writers who dream of becoming published picture book authors is to read–and study!–as many picture books as possible. Knowing picture books inside and out–their feel, their rhythm, their language–is the very first step in creating quality picture books of their own.

OK, cowpokes! You heard Tammi! Now get on back on yer saddle! Read and write! 

And don’t forget to visit Tammi’s blog! You can order Cowboy Camp or pre-order Chicken Dance via Amazon.

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