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My next Mixed-Up Files post goes up on Wednesday, and I can't wait to share part two of Ruth McNally Barshaw's interview.  You can check out the first one here.  She included a writing and illustrating exercise that many of you loved...and she has another wonderful writing and illustrating exercise ready for Wednesday and a list of books that helped inspire her to become an author/illustrator!  Plus, Ruth has an extra-special giveaway planned.  She'll randomly choose two winners to receive a personalized copy of Ellie McDoodle: Have Pen Will Travel, which has a brand new paperback reissue coming out tomorrow that includes sketch lessons and other extra goodies on the back pages.  Ruth will sketch in each book--and the first name chosen will also receive an incredibly special original sketch!  I'll give you the details on Wednesday (both here and on the Mixed-Up Files blog).

I had so much fun interviewing Ruth, and want to wish her a happy birthday today...and happy book birthday tomorrow.  :)  

As most of you probably know, I'm proud to call Joyce Sweeney my mentor and friend.  I feel so lucky to be in her weekly workshop/critique group.  My writing has improved so much with her guidance, and she's helped many writers break into this business--which resulted in 32 bean ceremonies.  If you're not sure what that is, check out this awesome interview that Cynthia Leitich Smith posted of Joyce in Cynsations!

I heard about Joyce's incredible critique group at my first FL SCBWI conference, and couldn't believe that some writers drove way over an hour to attend her group...until I met Joyce at a conference critique.  Her feedback has always been spot on, and has helped me dig deeper than I ever thought possible.  She's helped me find my strengths and improve my weaknesses, and has encouraged me every step of the way.  Thank you super-mentor Joyce, for everything you've done to help me and so many others!  

I recently ran Joyce's Success Story in the FL SCBWI listserv, and would love to share it with all of you!  You'll notice that she said she has given away 30 beans so far...that's because two of her peeps have sold their manuscripts since she wrote this! 
 

Florida SCBWI Success Story!

 Joyce Sweeney

 

My success story is going to be long, because I've been a writer for a long time -- since 1984!  During that time, my career path has taken some interesting twists and turns.  I wanted to be a writer when I was eight years old and I remember taking this aptitude test in the second grade that made me really mad.  It said I would be happier as a teacher!  I remember tearing it up, thinking that piece of paper would actually stand in the way of my writing dreams.&nbs

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I was thrilled to interview Ruth McNally Barshaw, the author and illustrator of the popular Ellie McDoodle series on my latest From The Mixed-Up Files...of Middle Grade Authors post.  Wow--Ruth is such an inspiration, and shared so much wonderful advice, how she broke into the business, and a fantastic exercise that's great for adults and kids to use when fleshing out a character.  You'll also see three sketches and some info for the 4th Ellie McDoodle book, due out in Spring, 2012.


Leave a comment on the Mixed-Up Files site to enter to win a personalized Ellie book...and Ruth said she'll even add some surprise sketches inside each book!  Two winners will be chosen on Thursday, February 24th.  I can't wait to see who will win these two awesome prizes.  

Ruth's sketches are amazing--and she has tons of them on her website.  Here's one Ruth drew of herself that I included in the interview.  

I've been busy working on my MG revision--it's getting really close to being done.  Wahoo!  I'm hoping to post more about the Miami conference soon, but it takes me a while to organize my notes and type everything up, and I've had to concentrate on my revision, the interview, my critique groups, and the FL SCBWI listserv first.  A new listserv will be coming out soon...with news about the celebration for the opening of the movie Beastly, based on Alex Flinn's incredible novel.

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