I really enjoyed this workshop at the FL SCBWI Conference in Miami led by Tamar Brazis, the Editorial Director of Abrams Books for Young Readers and Amulet Books. She has focused on picture books and middle-grade fiction for the past seven years, and has worked on the New York Times bestselling Jellybeans series by Laura Numeroff, Me, Frida illustrated by David Diaz, City I Love by beloved children’s poet Lee Bennett Hopkins, and Peter Nimble and his Fantastic Eyes, a debut novel by Jonathan Auxier.
She loves comforting picture books, and ones that she has a strong emotional reaction to. Her favorite book is Frog and Toad. She also shared other friendship stories that she loves, and I can see why they resonated with her (and me). One of my favorites is Waddles, by David McPhail. It's such a sweet book filled with 'aw' moments and it brought tears to my eyes by the end. I also had a huge emotional reaction to Making a Friend by Alison McGhee, and enjoyed City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems, and The Gift of Nothing by Patrick McDonnell (which gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling by the second to last line...and the very last line was a wonderful surprise).
A couple of the stories she shared with us were framed by seasons, which worked really well. She told us that friendship stories can be between two children, a child and a stuffed animal, or two objects like a sock and a mitten (I never heard of Smitten before, but I can’t wait to read it).
Tamar spoke about creating dynamics of relationships in a very human way. She gave us a great exercise to help create memorable characters. Really think about a friendship you had when you were younger, and write down all the details. I LOVE this exercise! Not only does did it tap into great details I can use in my manuscripts, but I can see how it could spark great new picture book ideas. Besides using it to flesh out existing manuscripts and the new ones I’m writing for the 12 x 12 Challenge, I’ll definitely use it during the next PiBoIdMo.
She also did a great second exercise, and explained a third right before the time was up. I can’t give out all of Tamar’s secrets though—so definitely take her picture book workshop if you have a chance! It was full of information and inspiration, and many of us left with ideas or scenes we'd like to use in future picture book manuscripts.
It was great taking the picture book workshop with Nancy Viau. I met her for a few minutes at Rutgers in 2005, and have been online friends with her for years. I loved having a chance to see her again and have her sign my copy of Samantha Hansen Has Rocks in Her Head, which Tamar Brazis edited…and Nancy also has a picture book coming out with her in the spring of 2013 entitled I Can Do It!
*If you're looking for more awesome picture book info, check out
On a very warm summer day in Los Angeles my crew and I came together to build the atmosphere for the new Tucker Shaw novel," Anxious Hearts."
The beautiful Lauren Layne came from Missouri to Model as Evangeline Bellefontaine for the photo shoot.
We wanted to create a magical ethereal atmosphere in the forest. I wanted there to be a sensation of waiting or awaiting, longing for and of peering into, all as the day was comings to and end or as the day begins, however one chooses to view it. I see it like the end is the new beginning perhaps.
After all my interpretation of the book is that the story is about multiple life cycles of two soul mates concentrated by the seasons of love and how they help each other grow closer to that love over time.
The forest had to be created in doors because it is difficult to find a fall forest in Los Angeles in the winter or during any season for that matter.
Being indoors gave us the opportunity to work in a controlled environment which is always beneficial for lighting and overall comfort of the crew.
Ultimately, I wanted it to look like what it feels like to be daydreaming of your soul mate like how a gentle breeze of the ocean touches your face ever so naturally.
jb