I have know Santi for a while online through our wonderful 12×12 community and I was very fortunate to meet him finally at the fabulous 12×12 5th anniversary party in New York last month. We bonded over literary cocktails, as … Continue reading
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By: JOANNA MARPLE,
on 3/15/2016
Blog: Miss Marple's Musings (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Interview, picture book, diversity, Mexico, Wacom, Illustrators, Illustrator interview, 12x12, Santiago Cesaras, Add a tag
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 4/9/2014
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: revising, picture book writing, 12x12, writing, children's literature, waiting, ideas, Add a tag
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 4/1/2014
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: kidlit, point of view, writing, children's literature, character, picture book writing, countdown, writing class, 12x12, Add a tag
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 3/19/2014
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: children's literature, character, ideas, picture book writing, action, 12x12, kidlit, writing, Add a tag
By: JOANNA MARPLE,
on 3/19/2014
Blog: Miss Marple's Musings (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Interview, children's books, illustrator interviews, Illustrators, cartoonist, 12x12, Charlie Eve Ryan, Manga Studio 5, Jennifer Starkman, Lucy from peanuts, Transatlantic Agency, Add a tag
By: JOANNA MARPLE,
on 3/12/2014
Blog: Miss Marple's Musings (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Julie Hedlund, 12x12, Carson Ellis., Dillweed’s Revenge, Gaugain, kidlit411, Toulouse Lautrec, Yvonne Mes, Interview, picture books, illustrator interviews, Illustrators, Florence Parry Heide, Add a tag
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 3/9/2014
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: picture book writing, submitting, quote, inspirational quote, 12x12, reading, editing, writing, children's literature, waiting, revising, Add a tag
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 3/1/2014
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: kidlit, reading, poetry, writing, children's literature, characters, ideas, dialogue, rejection, picture book writing, inspirational quote, 12x12, Add a tag
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 2/21/2014
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: children's literature, kidlit, writing, video, waiting, ideas, revising, picture book writing, 12x12, Add a tag
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 2/12/2014
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: kidlit, editing, writing, children's literature, ideas, revising, picture book writing, action, five words, 12x12, Add a tag
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 1/30/2014
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: kidlit, contests, editing, writing, magazines, children's literature, ideas, critique group, inspirational quote, 12x12, Add a tag
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 1/25/2014
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: contest, kidlit, editing, writing, magazines, ideas, revising, critique group, submitting, inspirational quote, 12x12, Add a tag
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 1/7/2014
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: reading, poetry, contests, magazines, children's literature, video, ideas, revising, picture book writing, writing class, PiBoIdMo, 12x12, Add a tag
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 12/26/2013
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: kidlit, reading, literature, writing, children's literature, ideas, picture book writing, PiBoIdMo, 12x12, Add a tag
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 11/20/2013
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 11/12/2013
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: kidlit, poetry, writing, children's literature, ideas, poem, picture book writing, 12x12, Add a tag
By: Tara Lazar,
on 10/27/2013
Blog: Tara Lazar (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Picture Books, Brain Burps About Books, Julie Hedlund, 12x12, PiBoIdMo 2013, Add a tag
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 9/16/2013
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 9/8/2013
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: kidlit, pets, editing, writing, children's literature, ideas, revising, picture book writing, five words, 12x12, Add a tag
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 2/1/2013
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 1/25/2013
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 1/21/2013
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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By: Tara Lazar,
on 12/4/2012
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By: JOANNA MARPLE,
on 3/15/2016
Blog: Miss Marple's Musings (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Interview, picture book, diversity, Mexico, Wacom, Illustrators, Illustrator interview, 12x12, Santiago Cesaras, Add a tag
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 4/9/2014
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: revising, picture book writing, 12x12, writing, children's literature, waiting, ideas, Add a tag
Spring is almost here. I mean it’s here on the calendar, but in real life, not so much. Mom and I look for flowers outside, but we’re not seeing a whole lot.
Almost there…not quite…
The grass is still kind of brownish and slime-ish in spots. And the wind still turns my ears upside down.
Also, the rain has Mom bringing out my raincoat every couple of days. April showers and all that….
Real, actual spring – street nap spring – takes longer to happen, I guess.
Chilly tummy.
Stories take longer than expected sometimes, too. The calendar says we’re 10 days into the month, but we’re not seeing much of Mom’s April manuscript. The idea is still brownish and slime-ish, and wind and rain in Mom’s head are slowing down the progress. Her ears aren’t upside down or anything, but I’m hearing an awful lot of “Here we go.” and not an awful lot of, “Yay. I’m finished.”
I think the rain wetting the soil and the wind flying the seeds all around are putting down the groundwork for the real season.
This is definitely a sign of spring…
Like the rain and the wind, mind-writing and planning are putting down the groundwork for Mom’s story. The daffodils are starting to pop. I hope Mom’s story will pop soon, too.
10 Comments on Almost…, last added: 4/10/2014
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By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 4/1/2014
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: kidlit, point of view, writing, children's literature, character, picture book writing, countdown, writing class, 12x12, Add a tag
Today, Mom and I are counting down about advice.
Advice I Get
3. Be Quiet – Mom says this word when the mailman comes. Ditto the FedEx and UPS guys. She clearly does not know these people are here to kill me. I must sound the alarm.
2. Don’t pull – Mom tells me this word when I am smelling delicious things outside, and checking my pee-mail. She clearly does not know that if I don’t quickly eat the goose candies in the grass, one of my dog friends might get them and I will miss out.
1. Fetch it – It took me a long time to understand this advice. I finally learned what it means. For any of my friends struggling with fetching, the secret to it is the bring-back. Do not get the ball, bring it on the couch, and try to hatch it like an egg.
Nailed it. Wait. What??
That is apparently not fetching. Bring it back to Mom and GET A TREAT. That’s fetching.
Advice Mom Gets
3. Add Conflict – People don’t like conflict. Especially Mom. But in a story, conflict is good. So are suspense, action, problems, unexpected obstacles, surprises, and other kinds of trouble. I like trouble.
I don’t think the monkey will pop out of the barrel and laugh at me anymore…. RIP laughing monkey.
2. Find Your Voice – Each time she starts a new story (at least once a month), Mom has to find her picture book voice. Voice helps the book sound unique and different from other books. Voice shows Mom’s characters looking at the world in their own special way.
1. Focus on Character – Mom usually writes stories that are plot, plot, plot. Lately, she is trying to take the advice she’s received about developing character, character, character. Susanna Hill’s Picture Book Magic class helped her a lot with that. Now Mom can get to know her characters before they start living in her story.
Speaking of living, two of my bloggy friends gave me the Sunshine Award, recently. I think it’s the perfect time of year for this award, since the snow is finally gone, and any minute now, the sun will shine and I will take a street nap.
A big, sunny thank you to Collies of the Meadow and The Squeak Life for sharing this prize with me. If you feel like you need a smile, visit them. They’re a guaranteed giggle. And if you want to celebrate the sunshine, take this award and post it to your own blog.
12 Comments on Countdown Wednesday, last added: 4/2/2014
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By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 3/19/2014
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: children's literature, character, ideas, picture book writing, action, 12x12, kidlit, writing, Add a tag
Spring is finally coming. Things that have been hidden under the snow are coming back. Look! It’s a coffee cup!
Mom’s new story was hidden under the snow in her brain. Every single day, when she started working on it, she gave it a new title, made a list of new characters, decided on a new theme, and gave them new goals to accomplish, new problems to solve, and different obstacles to overcome.
It’s a good thing spring is coming. Mom’s hidden story is coming back. It’s her third day working with the same title, the same theme, the same characters, and they have the same goals, problems, and obstacles as they had yesterday.
I think spring has sprung….
Look! It’s a banana!
I wonder if the black bananas taste better than the yellow ones….
And a ginger ale bottle.
And my beehive is back from under the snow!!
Hello, old friend…
14 Comments on Hidden, last added: 3/19/2014
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xxoxxx
By: JOANNA MARPLE,
on 3/19/2014
Blog: Miss Marple's Musings (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Interview, children's books, illustrator interviews, Illustrators, cartoonist, 12x12, Charlie Eve Ryan, Manga Studio 5, Jennifer Starkman, Lucy from peanuts, Transatlantic Agency, Add a tag
Charlie is one of those illustrators I feel like I have known forever! We are in a bunch of kidlit groups together, including Julie Hedlund’s 12×12, and I have watched her diligence, humor and activity over the past few years … Continue reading
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By: JOANNA MARPLE,
on 3/12/2014
Blog: Miss Marple's Musings (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Julie Hedlund, 12x12, Carson Ellis., Dillweed’s Revenge, Gaugain, kidlit411, Toulouse Lautrec, Yvonne Mes, Interview, picture books, illustrator interviews, Illustrators, Florence Parry Heide, Add a tag
I feel I have been a little remiss as one of my goals with this interview series over the past three years has been to highlight up-and-coming illustrators, who are not yet published but whom I want to get on … Continue reading
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By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 3/9/2014
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: picture book writing, submitting, quote, inspirational quote, 12x12, reading, editing, writing, children's literature, waiting, revising, Add a tag
Creativity doesn’t wait for that perfect moment. It fashions its own perfect moments out of ordinary ones.
-Bruce Garrabrandt-
Moments matter – Every single one of them. I try to use each one wisely.
Climbing.
Kissing.
Exploring.
Eating.
Playing.
And helping.
This past weekend we lost 60 moments of sleep for daylight savings. Well, the humans did. I got those moments back in spades 60 times over.
Mom uses one hour of moments each day for work. And by work I mean she sits there and types on the computer and talks out loud to herself. Sometimes the Creativity visits her during that hour. I love visitors. I’m not sure I’ve ever met the Creativity Visitor, though. Maybe tomorrow…..
If the Creativity doesn’t visit at that exact work time, Mom still works. Each month, she makes a new story and fixes up an old story (or two or three) for her 12×12 Challenge. She also reads books about writing books, and reads books like the books she writes. Wait. What?
Writing time is not for blogs, not for Facebook, not for email, not for Words With Friends, and not even for TV.
It’s just working on stories in one way or another – writing them, reading them, fixing them, thinking about them, submitting them to agents and publishers, and giving me cuddles and treats…. (See what I did there?) If the Creativity doesn’t come – Oh well. Maybe tomorrow…..
We’ll be ready.
10 Comments on Inspirational Quote of the Week, last added: 3/10/2014
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By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 3/1/2014
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: kidlit, reading, poetry, writing, children's literature, characters, ideas, dialogue, rejection, picture book writing, inspirational quote, 12x12, Add a tag
Today is Dr. Seuss’s birthday. He would’ve been 109 years old. He is the Best Doctor Ever on account of no needles, no looking into ears with a flashlight, no sticks stuck into forbidden places, and no touching of my bits and pieces.
Waiting for the Doctor. Hoping for the Best.
Mom also loves Dr. Seuss for a million other reasons – his wild imagination, his silly rhyming, his crazy stories, and the fact that his first book was rejected 27 times before anybody said they liked it. Misery loves company.
Mom’s #1 favorite Dr. Seuss book is The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins from 1938.
Normally, Mom and I steer clear of anything that smacks of numbers, but counting those hats is so much fun and so suspenseful that we can’t resist it. Also, a hundred years ago, Mom’s 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Nelson read that story to her class and Mom and her friends giggled and counted and were afraid for poor little Bartholomew not being able to take his hat off for the king.
As of Dr. Seuss’s birthday, Mom is up to date on her 12×12 Challenge. She has written 2 new stories in the past 2 months. Now it’s a new month and time to start a new story.
In which direction should she go?
Direction? Up, of course.
King of the Hill of Filth
What will be original?
Original? It doesn’t get any more original than an old dog learning a new trick.
Who will step out of her list of character ideas?
Character? This one.
Or this one.
Or this one.
How will she make the story sparkle?
Sparkle? With a tiara, of course.
Am I sparkling, yet?
10 Comments on Best Doctor Ever, last added: 3/2/2014
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By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 2/21/2014
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: children's literature, kidlit, writing, video, waiting, ideas, revising, picture book writing, 12x12, Add a tag
Sometimes stories get stuck. Mom likes the rule of three, so if there are only two good obstacles in her story, she can be Stuck-and-Waiting for one more good idea. Her other choice is to use an obstacle that isn’t her favorite and worry about it later. Then she is Stuck-but-Moving.
If a character turns boring halfway through the story, Mom can be Stuck-and-Waiting. A story that is Stuck-and-Waiting can die a miserable death. Her other choice is to go back to her character sketch and add some flaws, quirks, oddities, and traits to bump that character up. Even if he or she isn’t perfect, Mom can go back to work and worry about it later. Then she is Stuck-but-Moving.
When I come inside, I need to get the rock salt (and snow and mud) cleaned off my feet with a baby wipe. Sometimes, I am Stuck-and-Waiting.
Wipe my feet, please….
When the snow is really deep (and touching my belly *shiver*) my legs can’t reach solid ground. Mom says, “I am not carrying you anymore.” So I get busy – Stuck-but-Moving.
Inside a snow bank, there could be something fun like a ball or something yummy like a piece of bread that the birds dropped. There’s one way to find out - drill my nose in as far as I can. Then I am Stuck-and-Searching. That’s my favorite way to be!
10 Comments on Stuck and Waiting or Stuck but Moving, last added: 2/21/2014
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By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 2/12/2014
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: kidlit, editing, writing, children's literature, ideas, revising, picture book writing, action, five words, 12x12, Add a tag
Today’s five words are about being happy.
1. King of the Hill – I am happy when I am King of the Hill. Even though the hill is sometimes made of black plow-snow mixed with ice. And stones. And dirt.
2. Great Story Idea – Mom is happy when she gets a great story idea in her head. At first a new idea is all white and fluffy and has unlimited possibilities.
3. Beehive – I was happy when enough snow melted so I could see the broken piece of beehive that fell out of the tree a few months ago.
I TASTED it! Mom said the word, “Oh no you didn’t!” But oh yes, I did.
Is she watching me?
4. Brand New Story – Mom is happy when she sits down to start writing a brand new story about her brand new idea. Still white, still fluffy, and still filled with unlimited possibilities.
5. On top – I am happy walking on top of a foot of snow covered by a few inches of ice. As long as I stay on top, the snow can’t touch my belly. *shiver* But sometimes, I end up holding on for dear life with my tiny chicken-feet so I don’t slide into the street.
26. Holding On – After Mom works on her story for a while, she feels like she’s holding on for dear life with chicken-feet trying to get to the end and making sure the story isn’t a computer full of nonsense. She is happy when she finishes, though, and sometimes it’s nonsense and sometimes it’s not. But either way, it’s finished.
71. Cutting out nonsense - After the end of the story, Mom has to revise. That does not make her happy, but it has to be done. It helps cut out some of the nonsense and makes the story better. Just do it, Mom. Don’t look back.
I’m King of the …… *gulp*
10 Comments on Five Word Friday, last added: 2/13/2014
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By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 1/30/2014
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: kidlit, contests, editing, writing, magazines, children's literature, ideas, critique group, inspirational quote, 12x12, Add a tag
Vision is not enough. It must be combined with venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps, we must step up the stairs.
Vaclav Havel
Mom’s Highlights Contest story is finished resting, and thanks to her Contest Magic classmates giving her tons of help, she revised it – AGAIN – cutting and adding and switching and tightening and tweaking (not twerking – trust me – nobody wants to see that).
Yesterday, we went to the mailbox
and Mom unceremoniously dropped it in. She said, “I could work on this thing for the rest of my life.” and “It’s time to stop staring up the steps and step up the stairs.” and “Where do you think you’re going?”
Mom is hoping to win big, but she is also hoping for her cyberclassmates to win big right along with her. She said, “Their stories are amazing.” and “Can I even compete with these people?” and “There’s nothing up there for you.”
Is she talking to me??
10 Comments on Inspirational Quote of the Week, last added: 1/31/2014
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xx
By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 1/25/2014
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: contest, kidlit, editing, writing, magazines, ideas, revising, critique group, submitting, inspirational quote, 12x12, Add a tag
When I first came here, I had to be fixed. I wasn’t broken, but getting fixed was about not getting any more puppies in my belly. That’s fine with me.
My puppies were adopted at the shelter where I “lived” (and by lived, I mean barely existed) before I was rescued. Nowadays, I feel that puppies would take away some of Mom’s attention – which belongs 100% on ME. Plus, I use my belly for other things, named treats.
Mom’s story for the Highlights Annual Fiction Contest wasn’t broken, either.
But, boy oh boy, did it need to be fixed. Mom’s cyberclassmates and her cyberteacher from the Contest Magic class gave suggestion after suggestion and asked important questions that made Mom think of important answers and make important changes. At the end of it all, the story was a LOT better than it started out. Like me!
Before
After
Some things Mom learned were:
1. She is a mental case when it comes to commas. (She, kind, of, already, knew, that,,,)
2. The story problem needs to be close to the beginning of the story.
Help!
3. Readers need to learn about characters by what they say and what they do.
4. A problem can’t solve itself. Characters need to work at it and make the solution happen. And it can’t be too easy.
5. Conflict and tension are important. (Mom stinks at both of them.)
6. Sometimes, even your favorite parts of a story need to be cut. It might be scary and hurt a little, but it has to be done.
It’s like getting my nails trimmed. Like it or not, it has to be done….
13 Comments on Fixed, last added: 1/26/2014
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By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 1/7/2014
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: reading, poetry, contests, magazines, children's literature, video, ideas, revising, picture book writing, writing class, PiBoIdMo, 12x12, Add a tag
Sometimes, when I play with my monkey in a barrel, it puts me into a frenzy. There’s just too much going on! Too much to do. Too many possibilities. Bite the barrel? Tear off the lid? Growl at the talking? Rip the monkey’s face off? Chew his arm till he stops laughing? Shake the whole thing till I’m dizzy? I don’t know what to do first.
Since NewYears, Mom has also been in a frenzy. She’s not biting, tearing, growling, ripping, chewing, or shaking, like me. But she does have a lot going on, a lot to do, and a lot of possibilities. She may have bitten off more than she can chew. I’ve done that occasionally, too…. (And by “occasionally” I mean every day.)
Gah! Why is my mouth so tiny?!
Mom has entered a ton of challenges, and made a bunch of goals for herself this year. She will read 200 picture books in the Goodreads Challenge again,
she joined 12×12 for 2014, which means she needs to write a new first draft in the next few weeks,
she’ll get 30 new ideas when PiBoIdMo starts,
and she will write 30 poems this year.
In between all those jobs (and a bunch of others – if you can believe such a thing), Mom decided to enter the Highlights Annual Fiction Contest this month, AND take Susanna Hill’s Making Contest Magic class this week.
So Mom is learning, mind-writing, registering, paypal-ing, reading, commenting, revising, studying, listing, rhyming, critiquing, and ….do you see what’s missing here??
Snow pea?? Blech! I may have bitten off more than I can chew again.
Rocky, over at my friend Bacon’s blog told me that January 6 was National CuddleUp Day. So I made sure Mom took some time out to celebrate. Actually, I will make sure we celebrate that thing EVERY day!!
10 Comments on Frenzy, last added: 1/8/2014
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By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 12/26/2013
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: kidlit, reading, literature, writing, children's literature, ideas, picture book writing, PiBoIdMo, 12x12, Add a tag
Dinner is finished. I can tell by my empty dish.
The Nutcracker Ballet is finished. I can tell by the SugarPlum Fairy dancing…
…and Clara waking up.
You mean we can’t play King of the Hill??
The snow is finished. I can tell by this little pile of black mush which is called Get-Away-From-It-It’s-Filthy.
Mom is finished with her Goodreads Reading Challenge. She read 200 books this year, just like she planned.
She is finished with PiBoIdMo, too. She made a list of 30+ ideas, just like she planned.
Now, 2013 is about finished, but Mom isn’t ready. She has one more thing to finish. It’s her second year of The12x12 Challenge. That means she planned to write 12 picture book manuscripts in 12 months. But she’s only got eleven-and-a-half stories finished. She needs to buckle down and get to the end of her 12th story before the end of the year.
Mom says, “It doesn’t count if it’s inside my head.” and “This is a tough time of year to catch up.” and “Dinner is finished. Get over it. You will eat again tomorrow.”
10 Comments on Finished, last added: 12/27/2013
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By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 11/20/2013
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: awards, kidlit, reading, blogging, photo, writing, children's literature, character, award, picture book writing, countdown, 12x12, Add a tag
Today, we’re counting down my latest awards.
My friends at Dog Daz Zoo sent me the Dragon’s Loyalty Award. I won it once before right here. Thanks, girls!
Nikitaland sent me the Versa-tail Blogger Award or something like that. Yay! Thanks. I have never had that one before. I think it means my tail is pretty, and not a freaky monkey-tail, like Mom says.
Whether you have a tail or not, feel free to add some bling to your blog and share either one of my awards.
Both awards want me to tell seven things about myself. I’m not much with the math, but I’ll try, and maybe I’ll even let Mom tell one or two things about herself, too.
Seven Things
1. I love sleeping under the covers on Mom’s bed.
2. My birthday was in September. I’m seven.
3. Sometimes, I try to hatch my toys like eggs.
4. When my feet touch sand, I run in circles like I am a deranged lunatic.
5. One day, while Mom was driving to the VA, there was a devil in her rearview mirror.
6. I like lollipops.
7. Mom read a book that had a dog named Cupcake in it. It wasn’t me.
92. Mom is falling behind in her reading challenge. She planned to read 200 picture books this year. She is not on target, but plans to catch up. We’ll see.
46. Speaking of falling behind, she also missed the month of June in the 12×12 challenge, so she’s hoping to do her June manuscript in December. We’ll see.
21. Mom promised to take me to the park today. I’m really tired from working at Read to a Pet Night at the library last night.
Being a good girl, listening to a story…
Plus it’s really cold outside. I’m not sure I want to go to the park. ….We’ll see….
10 Comments on Countdown Wednesday, last added: 11/21/2013
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By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 11/12/2013
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: kidlit, poetry, writing, children's literature, ideas, poem, picture book writing, 12x12, Add a tag
This is how my toy box has looked for the past couple of months. This morning, Mom decided to switch out these toys for the bag of toys that was hidden in the closet.
She does that every now and then. So half of my toys are always out and ready for me and half are always hidden away. On Switcheroo Day, it feels like Mom went shopping and bought me a big bunch of new toys!
Yay! Hello, peppermint ball. I’ve missed you… Plus I forgot I ever even had you!
Mom plays Switcheroo Day with her stories, too. She is working on two stories and a poem at the same time. She switches back and forth and back and forth between them each day. She says, “This one is flying along.” and “GAH! I only wrote 6 words in a half hour.” and “Who’s going to clean up this mess?”
The stories (if she ever finishes them) will be her November and December 12×12 stories. Neither story is about me. One is about pajamas and one is about a cyclops. Maybe the poem will be about my peppermint ball. In fact, I can write that poem myself….
….I want it to say, “Peppermint ball, peppermint ball,
You make my breath smell sweet.
I’ll toss you, chew you, roll you around,
And hold you with my feet.”
On second thought, I’ll leave the poetry writing to Mom….
14 Comments on Switcheroo Day, last added: 11/13/2013
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) My mom switches between stories while reading, she most reads two or three books the same time. That’s when she can’t come “into a story” or when a story is predictable. Then she reads another one and after a while she has no clue about the first story and the thrill is back when she reads on
By: Tara Lazar,
on 10/27/2013
Blog: Tara Lazar (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Picture Books, Brain Burps About Books, Julie Hedlund, 12x12, PiBoIdMo 2013, Add a tag
by This might sound strange coming from me, but PiBoIdMo is my favorite writing challenge. Yes, I know I am the founder and host of 12 x 12, but let’s face it—writing picture book drafts is work. Fun, but also work.
PiBoIdMo—just letting your creativity run wild and capturing every little flutter and fancy of your imagination is just plain FUN. Freeing. Fabulous. (See how I used the rule of three there???)
For those of you who ARE planning to do 12 x 12 in 2014, I almost consider participating in PiBoIdMo a mandatory first step. Where else are you going to mine the ideas for 12 picture book drafts?
I made this little video for the sole purpose of reminding everyone to lighten up, have fun, and ENJOY fishing for those awesome ideas—some of which will one day turn into picture books! Many thanks to Tara for bringing us the joy of PiBo each year!!
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Julie Hedlund is a Children’s author, founder of the 12 x 12 Picture Book Challenge, a monthly contributor to the Brain Burps about Books podcast and the “Field Guide to 21st Century Publishing” for the Children’s Book Insider.
Julie is generously giving away two prizes!
The first is GOLD MEMBERSHIP in 12 x 12 for 2014!
The second is a signed print copy of her Little Bahalia release A TROOP IS A GROUP OF MONKEYS.
Both prizes will be given away at the conclusion of PiBoIdMo. You are eligible for these prizes if:
- You have registered for PiBoIdMo.
- You have commented on this post.
- 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 Pre-PiBo Day 3: Julie Hedlund’s Most Wonderful Time of the Year (plus prizes!), last added: 10/27/2013
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By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 9/16/2013
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: PiBoIdMo, inspirational quote, 12x12, kidlit, writing, children's literature, ideas, revising, critique group, picture book writing, submitting, quote, Add a tag
But there was one other thing that the grown-ups also knew, and it was this: that however small the chance might be of striking lucky, the chance is there. The chance had to be there.”
― Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
I struck lucky when Mom found me a few Decembers ago. Purrs n Pups found me in Georgia in a kill-shelter, where my puppies had been adopted…
….and I was left behind.
They brought me to foster care and my foster-mom brought me to an adoption event where Mom found me.
She said some bad words like, “Too small.” and “Too old.” But then she said some good words like, “I’m taking her home!” and “This is my new dog!”
My first day at home, I said, “This is my new couch!”
Mom is always waiting to strike lucky. She works on stories, revises them and revises them, makes cover letters, signs them with her lucky pen, and submits story after story to magazines, book publishers, and agents. Whenever Book #2 gets accepted, that will be her lucky day.
PiBoIdMo is helpful. Mom gets a new idea every single day during that month.
Mom’s 12×12 Challenge is helpful. It keeps her writing new pieces every month.
The class she took named Making Picture Book Magic was helpful. It taught her about planning a story to make sure it has all the parts it needs.
Her writing group named DavidLaurieandOtherDavid is helpful. They help her stories get better and better.
Where’s the work? This looks like a party!
Her computer friends at RateYourStory help her by giving her a reality check about what she writes.
And of course, I help her by taking her to the park to clear her head,
staring at her while she’s working,
and sometimes, I fall asleep on the iPad and type LLLLLLLL with my ear.
18 Comments on Inspirational Quote of the Week, last added: 9/17/2013
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By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 9/8/2013
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: kidlit, pets, editing, writing, children's literature, ideas, revising, picture book writing, five words, 12x12, Add a tag
Today, I am listing 5 words from Mom’s August 12×12 story. She didn’t like this story very much, but she kept on writing it all the way to the end. (It’s not about me, so I’m not crazy about it either.)
When Mom finally wrote the last sentence, it made her laugh out loud. Mom said, “Well, that was worth the trip, I guess.” and “This story doesn’t sound like me at all!” and “Technically, that’s still a street nap, even though you’re sort of on the sidewalk…”
1. Dance – I dance for treats.
2. Head – My head is tiny. So is my brain. Ummmm…I’m not stuck under there. I’m fine. …Really.
3. Bounce – Mom is teaching me to sit on my mat, so that (in between dancing), I will not bounce around too much. Someday, I will learn that whole sitting still thing….
4. Dripping – I don’t like getting wet.
5. Peanut Butter – Peanut butter, yogurt, a smashed banana, and some honey make a yummy ice cream treat. Mmmm….
10 Comments on Five Word Friday, last added: 9/9/2013
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By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 2/1/2013
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: kidlit, writing, children's literature, ideas, picture book writing, writing class, 12x12, Add a tag
Long ago, when I was littler and naughtier, I used to eat the rent bill. Every single time the man slipped it under the door, I yanked it out of his hand and ate it – the bill, the envelope, the carbon copy and the return envelope.
Mom kept a few xeroxed copies on hand so she’d have something to mail back with her check.
I have learned that the rent bill isn’t delicious because it isn’t food. I stayed home alone with the bill on the floor all morning, and I didn’t even taste it. I learned.
Outside
Inside – See how I’m not eating it?
Today, Mom will start learning at Susanna Hill’s class called Making Picture Book Magic.
MAGIC! That might be what’s been missing around here! Mom has all her supplies ready, like it said in the introduction email. She got some picture books from the library, made computer folders, bought index cards (in case her iPad index cards aren’t allowed), and she is getting her brain geared up to get started. Mom likes learning.
I don’t really like learning, but when there are Cheerios involved, I can learn. I am finally learning to fetch, just like Mom planned in her New Year’s resolution.
MAGIC!
12 Comments on Learning, last added: 2/1/2013
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By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 1/25/2013
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: 12x12, pets, photo, editing, writing, revising, picture book writing, Add a tag
Mom finished her January story for 12×12. Whew! That was the closest she ever came to the end of the month. Her story is a first, first, FIRST draft, and it will need a LOT of editing before it sees the light of day. Mom said, “You have to start somewhere.” and “Writing it is the first step.” and “Do NOT eat the hat!”
Soon (Eventually), Mom will look closely at her January story and fix it up till it’s ready to show her writing group named DavidLaurieandOtherDavid. She said, “I’ll probably have to cut about 100 words.” and “I’ll streamline the dialog.” and “The ending needs lots of work.”
Bob said my picture didn’t need too much work. I guess that’s because of my extreme cuteness. Check here to see Bob’s comments about what he did to it. Also look here to see more of Bob’s work, or here to enter his Sunday Frameable Keepers Challenge.
Mom said the new picture is brighter and sharper and my fur and the teddy bear’s fur look fluffier. Thanks, Bob!
Here I am enhanced!
The original is on the left and the enhanced version is on the right. Cute and even CUTER!
I guess because of my super cuteness, my friends at DogDaz gave me the Super Sweet Blogging Award this week. I’ll keep it displayed on my Awards page. Thanks, DogDaz!
11 Comments on Editing and Enhancement, last added: 1/26/2013
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By: Genevieve Petrillo,
on 1/21/2013
Blog: Cupcake Speaks (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: countdown, writing class, 12x12, kidlit, pets, writing, children's literature, dogs, Add a tag
Mom and I are counting down to the end of the month.
My January Countdown
3. Snow! We need more snow before January is finished! I love snow… As long as it isn’t deep enough to touch my belly. That scares me. Mom digs it with the shovel so I won’t be afraid.
2. Learning. Mom teaches me and teaches me every day. I am getting better with fetching, as long as there are Cheerios. I am still confused about bowling, though.
1. Work. Mom is working hard to finish her January story for 12×12. Tick. Tick. Tick. She’s really cutting it close.
Mom’s January Countdown
3. No snow! Mom doesn’t want snow because it is too much mess and trouble. But if it snows, she will have to stay home and work on her stories (and play with me). C’mon snow!
2. Learning. Mom will study at an online writing class in February. Tick. Tick. Tick. Soon, I will not be the only one learning.
1. Work. Mom will work with her writing group named DavidLaurieandOtherDavid next week. They will talk about stories and eat cookies and drink coffee. How does that count as work??
18 Comments on Countdown Wednesday, last added: 1/22/2013
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On line writing school, that sounds fun 
By: Tara Lazar,
on 12/4/2012
Blog: Tara Lazar (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Uncategorized, Julie Hedlund, A Troop is a Group of Monkeys, 12x12, Add a tag
So, my fellow PiBoIdMo participants, by now you have a list of tantalizing picture book ideas practically bursting off the page (or screen if you keep them on a computer). What to do?
Here is a novel idea. How about if you select your favorite ideas and write some picture book drafts? Get some of those ideas out of your head so they can one day be out into the world.
It seems like it would be easy to write loads of PBs now that you have that list of ideas, but it isn’t—especially if you go it alone. I know because last year at this very time, I was looking at my list of ideas from the 2010 PiBoIdMo and realized I had only written one manuscript from that list in 2011. How could that be possible?
There were two things missing for me: motivation and accountability. The community (from PiBoIdMo) was there, but I feared we’d all disperse to the four winds after November. So I got this crazy idea to challenge myself to write one picture book draft a month for each month of the year in 2012 and decided to invite people to join me. Thus 12 x 12 in 2012 was born.
I had no idea then that 400+ picture book writers would come together in this common mission, nor that we would become the tight-knit community we are today. I expected to run it casually for one year and then move on.
But I can’t end 12 x 12 after one year.
Because 12 x 12 doesn’t belong to me—it’s for everyone who loves picture books, wants to write them, and needs a cheering section for both the good times and the bad times. It’s to give writers, who have burning questions in the middle of the day and need an answer RIGHT NOW, a place to turn and to learn. It’s become more than a writing challenge. It’s a global family of writers who have the pluck to write in what could be the most challenging genre on earth.
My friend and fellow 12 x 12′er Tim McCanna recently made this phenomenal video to promote the challenge. His opening lyrics are thus:
So you wanna be a picture book writer?
Then ya gotta write picture books. (Well, duh!)
And yer gonna need a bucket load o’ bright ideas
For titles, plots and hooks.
Thanks to Tara and PiBoIdMo, you’ve got your bucket load of bright ideas. Are you ready to try to write a draft every month in 2013? Registration won’t open until next week, but you can sign up for the 12 x 12 mailing list so you’ll be ready when it does. In 2013 there will be three participation levels to choose from, including one that will enable participants with completed, polished manuscripts to submit to an agent or editor each month.
So, did I write 12 picture book drafts this year? No, I didn’t, but I did write 6 so far and there are still 3 weeks left in December! I’m not very good at math, but already that’s 5 more than I wrote last year. Plus, I completed major revisions on existing manuscripts and even got a publishing contract for one of them. So I am very pleased with my results. If you read some of the testimonials from other participants, I think you’ll see that they’re happy with their results too.
I hope to welcome many of you who completed PiBoIdMo into 12 x 12 in 2013. We are a friendly bunch, and we’re all in this together!
Thanks again to Tara for being the inspiration, not just for PiBoIdMo, but also for 12 x 12. The picture book community continues to grow and thrive as a result of her generosity and hard work.
Julie is generously giving away a FREE “Little GOLDen Book Level” membership in 12×12 for 2013, which includes, among many other features and benefits, the chance to submit to an agent or editor each month and bypass the slush pile! A winner will be selected from those who have commented on this post *and* completed the challenge. The winner will be chosen next week. Good luck!
Julie Hedlund is a Picture Book author and Freelance Writer. Her first book, A TROOP IS A GROUP OF MONKEYS, will be released as an interactive storybook app for the iPad in December 2012 by Little Bahalia Publishing. Julie is the founder and host of the 12 x 12 in 2012 picture book writing challenge, a monthly contributor on Katie Davis’ Brain Burps About Books podcast, and the creator of Julie Hedlund’s Template for Storybook App Proposals. Julie will fulfill a lifelong dream in 2013 by leading the first annual Writer’s Renaissance retreat in Florence, Italy.
10 Comments on Post-PiBoIdMo Day 5: Julie Hedlund Makes a Year-Long Commitment, last added: 12/5/2012
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We’re ok with Spring taking her time to show up ‘cos that hopefully meant that Autumn will take her time showing up here…but based on the way dada closes windows and doors every night we think Autumn may already arrived *sigh*
Wally & Sammy
Whee were wondering when Spring would get here but she’s finally arrived for us. Hope she visits you soon!
Cupcake I bet you can hardly wait for a nice WARM street nap……and I’m sure that like the Spring flowers, your Mom’s story will be blooming like crazy REAL soon!
Hugs, Sammy
I like your raincoat Cupcake! I hope inspiration springs to your mom! :)
oh momwithoutpaws is raking and raking and dumping the debris..
Cupcake, we just can’t wait anymore for spring to come. Apparently it’s in our forecast for today and boy I can’t wait to get outside and chomp on that grass!
They say that raindrops of the April-showers bring good luck :o) But I rather wear my raincoat, think I’m lucky enough :o)
Cupcake I am sure with all the ground work mum will soon be blossoming and blooming :) all the hard work helping her will surely pay off ….pee ess love that raincoat…makes me want to smooch you ;0 hugs Fozziemum xx
I hope your mom’s story will spring to life soon! Those daffodils are pretty. We’re seeing lots of April showers, but not much sunshine in between them!
I’m desperately seeking green, but so far nothing. Keep up the search Cupcake, you’ll find spring!