The Writing Life

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Today I was reading the January 2013 issue of Writer’s Digest. On the editorial page, the editorial comments by editor Jessica Strawser grabbed my attention. Part of what she wrote: “ …in the writing life, I think it really comes down to how we view the blank page: those of us who find it exciting—full of possibility, hope, even adventure—and those who see it as intimidating—capable of inducing guilt, anxiety, even dread.” She had a lot more to say about this, but in the end, she wrote: “We all face it (blank page) with those same mixed feelings of self-doubt and possibility. And we all have the power to fill it with a story that can touch readers, fulfill our dreams, and even change the world.”
 
Wow! She got it right. Some days, I am filled with anxiety at the thought of facing that blank page. Other days, the words just seem to flow and all is right with the world. How about you?
 
San Antonio River Bridge
 And once you’ve actually written that story that no one but you can write, here are some basics on getting started on children’s writing and illustrating by Harold Underdown. Not only does this blog have great info, but it gives you references to go to as well. Best of luck in 2013 and Happy Writing! 


“Refrain from editorializing in descriptions of your work. An agent or editor shouldn’t have to be told your story is thrilling or heartbreaking; your description should show or reflect these qualities.” – Writing tip from Writer’s Digest Weekly Planner

Handling Rejection Letters

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We all get them at one time or other. My writer friends and I call them “good rejection letters” when they offer some type of feedback or have some kind of comments on them rather than just a form letter. One friend rolls her eyes and says, “Forgive them Father for they know not …” Beginning in 2013, most of us will start anew sending out those queries in the hopes of getting published. And it will happen. Do not give up hope. But there might be some rejections mixed in there somewhere. What to do?
 
According to Chuck Sambuchino’s article, “Ten Hidden Gifts of Rejection Letters,” posted on the Guide to Literary AgentsWriter’s Digest blog, “Rejection letters strengthen you, build courage, determination and belief in your work.”  Huh? For real? 
 
Actually, his ten “hidden gifts” do make sense. He writes that “…the good ones (offering constructive criticism) help you develop as a writer.” 
 
Do not get discouraged. We’ve all been there. Read the article and see for yourself. Happy writing and success in 2013!!
 

“Rejections are business letters, not personal letters.” Jane Smiley

Picture book article

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Here’s an interesting article in the School Library Journal blog by Patti Lee Gauch, a former editorial director at Philomel Books about the “state of the picture book.” She mentions in one of her talks “how books that introduce chaos into a controlled environment and that are characterized by fun and playfulness tend to resonate with young readers.” Her comments on e-books: “acknowledging that electronic versions do have their place. Gauch, however, stressed that a physical book is in and of itself an art form …” 
 
I had the pleasure of attending one of Ms. Gauch’s talks when I journeyed to the Highlights Writers’ Workshop at Chautauque a while back. I got my binder out just now and looked over the notes that I took during Ms. Gauch’s talk. “Move out of your comfort zone,” she said. “A reader doesn’t want to travel where he’s been before. Make your book different. Write an unexpected story. You as a writer have the stage. What do you want your reader to see?”
Chautauqua
 
Going back over my notes brought back so many fond memories of Chautauqua. I actually met and talked with Pam Muñoz Ryan of Esperanza Rising and Carolyn Coman of the Newbery Honor book, What Jamie Saw, plus a host of other famous writers. What a treat that was for me. 
 
So listen to Ms. Gauch’s advice. Write the story that only you can write. Happy writing and Happy Holidays!
 
Get your first draft done any way you can. Then the real work starts: revision.” — Harold Underdown

Writer Goals for New Year

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Well, my Cookie Exchange Party is over and 2012 is just about over too. Time to set new goals as a writer. I seem to have the same goals every year: write and read more, submit manuscripts to publishers, nurture myself as a writer, attend at least one writer’s conference or workshop, value my writer friends, attend critique sessions, keep the hope up. Of course, I don’t always get all of these done. Each year seems to go by faster than the last one.
 
Cookie Exchange Party
The above is what I wrote a couple of years ago, but it still applies every year. I went over my journal to see if I had really read as much as I had hoped to in 2012. I could have done better, but, oh, well. Some of the books I read were: Lewis Carroll: Through the Looking Glass, Wonder Struck, Dead End in Norvelt, The Silent Boy, Small Steps, Eggs, Tree by Leaf, The Hunger Games, The Story of Ferdinand, The White Elephant, Who Moved My Cheese?, Dear Mr. Henshaw, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Alchemy and Meggy Swann, Diary of Anne Frank, Wonder, Okay For Now, The Mighty Miss Malone, The Lions of Little Rock, Transfer (poetry), and Inside Out and Back Again (in verse).
 
I am presently in the middle of Summer of the Mariposas written by my friend, Guadalupe Garcia McCall and published by Lee & Low. 
 
To help you get started in 2013, visit  Rachelle Burke’s Resources for Children’s Writers’ blog.She writes that her resources will “help you improve your writing, network with other writers, get published, and sell your work.” 
 
Good news: the final art (illustrations) for my next picture book, Lupita’s First Dance, came via email a few days ago. The illustrator, Gabhor Utomo, did an excellent job. I can hardly wait to hold the new book in my hands.

 
Our prayers and thoughts to the people in Newtown, Connecticut.  

Christmas Stories

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Like I do every year around this time, I like to read Christmas stories from two books that my writer friends (who contributed to stories in the books) gave me a few years ago. Some stories are nostalgic, some are humorous, others are a little sad but with hope at the end. Always with hope at the end. The stories are uplifting and inspirational. Every morning I read at least two stories from each book.

Maybe you have a story or two that you’ve been meaning to send to publishers who publish anthologies. That is a great way for a writer to break into the business and get a byline. Not only will readers enjoy reading your story, but you’ll have the satisfaction of seeing your name in print. Make it a goal next year to submit your manuscripts to magazines, book anthologies, newspaper articles, as well as to book publishers. I might just be reading your story next Christmas.

 
Now I have to get ready for our annual Cookie Exchange Party, which I am hosting this year. Wishing you Happy Holidays with your families. Back to baking!

Queries and Cover Letters

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You’ve written a story. Now it’s time to send it out. How do you query a publisher? What do you say in your letter? Should you send a query or a cover letter and what is the difference? In her article, “Rites of Submission: Cover Letters and Query Letters,” written by Jacqueline K. Ogburn on the Underdown blog, Ogburn lists samples of what to do and what NOT to do when writing queries and cover letters and common mistakes that some writers make.
 
Regarding cover letters, she writes: So what is a good cover letter? First it is a courtesy. As an editor, I did find submissions that lacked a cover letter a bit rude, like a phone caller who doesn’t bother saying hello or identifying themselves before launching into the conversation.
On query letters, she writes: A good query letter is a different beast. Simplicity is still a prime virtue, but a query letter is a come-on; it should entice the editor to read more. It should give a taste of your book, a description of what it is, what is special about it, and it should be less than one page long.
So dust up your manuscript, polish it, and send it on its way. Query or cover letter? That’s up to you. Good luck!
San Antonio River Walk Christmas
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

You wouldn’t expect to pick up a violin, never having played and appear the next day at Carnegie Hall as a soloist. Writing is not so different. It takes practice and learning. — Jean Karl

Best Children’s Picture Books of 2012

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Well, Thanksgiving is over. And speaking of Thanksgiving, here is a link to bookish balloons in the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade. 
Now Christmas is almost here. Where did the year go? Did you accomplish everything you wanted to do this year as a writer? I didn’t. Time just slipped by too fast. Perhaps it’s not too soon to start setting those goals again for the coming year. Before 2012 is over, here’s the list of the Best Children’s Picture Books of 2012, listed in Publishers Weekly. Awesome. One of these days, your book and mine will be among those on the list. We can dream, can’t we? It’s not impossible. Never give up on your dream.
Santa Fe, NM
Here’s a link to something that’s pretty cool—a three-person rocking chair. What a great idea. Looks a little weird, but hey! It accomplishes the task.

“Books are a delightful society. If you go into a room filled with books, even without taking them down from their shelves, they seem to speak to you, to welcome you.”– William E. Gladstone


Picture book illustrations

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Illustrators and writers as well—you need to take a look at these, “20 stunning book illustrations,” on creativeblog.com.I’ve always said that a picture book is collaboration between a writer and an illustrator. A writer writes the story, but the illustrator brings it to life. I am in awe of the talent of these artists. I have been so lucky to have gotten such great illustrators for my four books. I’ve seen the sketches for my next two books coming out in the spring and am delighted with what I’ve seen so far. The visual images in a book draw in the young reader. And we have illustrators to thank for that. 
On a different note, I would like to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving Day with your family and friends. 
“The greatest children’s books are about the journey to wisdom.” – Jane Yolen  

Writer’s retreat and poet laureate

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A few days ago, I treated myself to a one-day writer’s retreat in Austin. Smack in the middle of Austin but still secluded is The Writing Barn, perfect for an event like this. The converted barn is large, has lots of character, and is surrounded by trees and cactus and rocks … well, you get the picture. It was rustic. The tree branches groaned as they banged against the barn’s tin roof.  Two deer came out of the woodsy area and meandered around for a while as we watched them from inside the screened-in porch.
 
It was nice to get away, meditate, be around other writers with the same passion as you, and then get inspired to write, write, write. Being in a setting like that brings out the creative juices. My writing flowed and I hardly lifted my pen as I wrote and wrote. No laptops, no IPads, simply notebooks and pens. It was really, really nice. When was the last time you treated yourself to such an outing? There are plenty of opportunities around the Texas area. Ask around and you’ll find them.
 
A few days later, I participated in a Picture Book panel at the Corpus Christi ESC Region 2 event on Tuesday, November 13. While there, I met up with Texas Poet Laureate Jan Seale. It was a thrill seeing her again. I first met her at a Laredo bookfest event a few months earlier where I bought her book, The Wonder Is.  
Author and Poet Laureate Jan Seale

“When you choose a creative life, you never grow old. It’s forever young and forever growing.” — Salome Jens 

Picture book writing tips

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Last summer when I attended the SCBWI-LA conference, one of the workshops I enrolled in was one on picture books headed by author Ann Whitford Paul. Some of her comments: picture books are action! On plot: each event is coming from the event before. The music of picture books: use words that SING! Read your book out loud. Pay attention to the sound of letters. Long vowels are more active and powerful than short ones. Number one rule: main character solves the problem. All this and a lot, lot more. Go to the author’s link above for more of her writing tips.


Mexican pottery at El Mercado

“Listen carefully to first criticisms made of your work. Note just what it is about your work that the critics don’t like — then cultivate it. That’s the only part of your work that’s individual and worth keeping.” — Jean Cocteau