Author Archives: Lupe Ruiz-Flores

Writer’s conferences

Posted on May 26, 2009 by Lupe Ruiz-Flores

Many writer’s conferences are being offered right now. I’ve been to a couple in the past few years and am debating whether to attend another one. I always come back inspired and ready to work. As most writers know, writing is a pretty lonely profession at times. Getting out and meeting with one’s peers who share the same passion for writing and books can be good for the soul.

Besides meeting super interesting people at these conferences, you also come back with tons of reading material, workshop experience under your belt, and new ideas that you’re ready to work on as soon as you get home. Not to mention the fabulous speakers at these conferences who provide words of wisdom and encouragement to writers.

I guess I already talked myself into going again, huh? Better start checking out those conference dates now.

Ideas, hometown

Posted on May 19, 2009 by Lupe Ruiz-Flores

A horse-drawn carriage in my hometown.

I once met an author who said she was having trouble coming up with ideas for stories. “Nothing interesting ever happens in my town,” she said. So she read about other exotic places that she thought were a lot more exciting than her “boring” town. Then one day it dawned on her that there were stories all around her. Stories right in her own back yard. Many times we fail to see what’s out there because we’re so familiar with our surroundings. Take a look around your own city or town. I’ll bet there’s interesting characters and historical spots that make for a great setting. You don’t have to go far to find a good story. Sometimes it’s right there in your own back yard.

School visit, Author Day

Posted on May 15, 2009 by Lupe Ruiz-Flores

Just returned from doing a school visit. After doing several sessions, it was a bit tiring, but exhilarating. After the presentation, there is a segment on the writing process followed by a question-and-answer session. The students really enjoy this as they get to ask the author anything and everything. They get so enthused that we usually run out of time before all the questions are asked.

Since today was Author Day at the school I visited, the students had a parade in the morning. They dressed up as favorite book characters. Even the teachers and the school staff joined in the fun, dressing up as well. It always feels good being part of a school event. That’s part of the fun of being an author.

Voice

Posted on May 12, 2009 by Lupe Ruiz-Flores

Signs of spring. Picture taken in Santa Fe.

I once asked an editor at a writer’s conference what is it that excited him about a manuscript. His reply, “Voice.” Voice is hard to define. Some say it is style; others say it isn’t. Some say it is tone; some say not. To me, voice is unique to a writer. There is an excellent article on http://www.write101.com/lethamfind.htm that you might find helpful. There’s also an article on http://verlakay.blogspot.com/ (Verla Kay’s April 26 blog) on writing tips for picture books, which includes some comments on voice. Both are super interesting.

Revisions

Posted on May 9, 2009 by Lupe Ruiz-Flores

The brilliant colors in this photo can brighten anyone’s day. I took this picture in New Mexico.

Yesterday I had a truly productive day in writing. I edited and revised several chapters on my current work-in-progress middle-grade novel. Over and over again, I reworked each paragraph until I felt that the words flowed well and the pacing was right. I cut out redundant words. I tightened the sentences. I focused on some of the “hot spots” where I felt I needed to show more emotion. Overall, I was pleased with the day’s work. Who knows? Tomorrow I might make some more changes. But for today, I feel like I accomplished something.

By the way, the Website: www.jacketflap.com has tons of information on publishers and children’s books as well as the names of hundreds of authors and illustrators of children’s books. If you’re a writer or illustrator, you might want to join this group online.

Revisions, nature

Posted on May 6, 2009 by Lupe Ruiz-Flores

Take a break from writing once in a while and enjoy nature’s beauty.

Once a draft is finished, the revisions start. The editing, cutting, pasting, reworking of the story to make it better. That’s when the real work starts. It might take days, weeks, months, or even years to come out with a product you’re really proud of. It’s like anything else. To become a talented artist, you practice. To become a great musician, you practice. To become a good writer, you practice your craft.

Sometimes you get tired or overwhelmed. Take a break. Go for a walk. Enjoy nature. Visit a musuem. Take in a good movie. Read a book. A favorite book of mine is The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. Her writing flows on every page. Her characters are so well developed. Her book was made into a movie, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Inspiration, Writing prompts

Posted on April 30, 2009 by Lupe Ruiz-Flores

Just returned from a trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico. I love the wide open sky and the Sandia mountains looming over the city. Tumbleweeds roll across the road as the winds help them along. Historic Old Town in downtown Albuquerque is vibrant and colorful. I can see why some artists and writers find inspiration there and are attracted to that city.

But as a writer, you don’t have to wait for inspiration. All you need to do is sit down in front of that computer and write! I know it’s hard staring at a blank screen sometimes. If you’re like me, you try to find excuses to get out of that chair. But it takes discipline to stay put. Try some writing prompts to get you started. Or pick one word and write around it. Sometimes what I do is start this way: I remember when ….. Or I would really like to write about ….(something you don’t know anything about).

Try some simple prompts to get your creative juices flowing. The following Website has tons of writing prompts to choose from: http://www.creativewritingprompts.com/

Children’s Book Fair & Festival

Posted on April 20, 2009 by Lupe Ruiz-Flores

What a success the 14th annual Dallas Children’s Book Fair & Literary Festival turned out to be. “Opening Minds by Opening Books” was the theme of this year’s festival held at the beautiful J. Erik Jonsson Central Library. Sponsored by the African-American Museum in Dallas and numerous other sponsors, the event attracted around 4,000 school children, teachers, and parents.

Nineteen children’s book authors and illustrators, including myself, participated in readings, presentations, and author panels during the two-day event. What a delight watching so many children soaking up the stories relayed to them by the “real” authors of the books or mesmerized by the illustrations drawn by the artists standing before them. It was great fun interacting with the children.

There was such diversity among the authors and illustrators who came in from all over the country. Click here to view: http://www.dallaschildrensbookfair.org/author.htm. It was a splendid opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones.

Pictured above (left to right) are authors: Eleanora Tate, Freddi Williams Evans, and Lupe Ruiz-Flores.

Ideas

Posted on April 16, 2009 by Lupe Ruiz-Flores

Sometimes taking a break from writing and reading a good book can inspire ideas for a story. I find myself making notes in my writing journal as I read through a book. Sometimes it’s a word that leaps out at you and sparks an idea. Sometimes it’s a phrase or a visual image. Be sure to jot these ideas down quickly. Then on a day when you feel like you have writer’s block, look at what you’ve jotted down earlier. I’m sure you’ll find inspiration there. Have a happy writing day! Picture at right from school visit to Will Rogers Elementary, San Antonio, Texas.

Prologue

Posted on April 14, 2009 by Lupe Ruiz-Flores

I took a picture of this oak tree because of its many twists and turns. Amazing!

Have you ever wondered whether to use a prologue or not? I was faced with that dilemma while working on my latest middle-grade story. I found an excellent article on an Ezine article Website: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Prologue—When-to-Use-One,-How-to-Write-One&id;=9982. After reading the article and workshopping my manuscript with my critique group, I decided against it. But that doesn’t mean it cannot be used in some instances. Anyway, if you get a chance, read the article.