Tips for Writing Mysteries. Here’s a helpful post, “Four tips for building a successful mystery,” if you are into writing mysteries. Check out the post by Jan Fields, freelance author and Institute of Children’s Literature instructor. She lists four tips: (1) Ask the question, (2) Brainstorm answers, (3) Choose the possible answers that could work well together, and (4) Decide the turning point. Visit the website for detailed tips.

Here’s the rest of the four-part series on the blog, Picture Book Builders. This time, an editor was interviewed for this post. He is Neal Porter, founder of Neal Porter Books. One of the questions asked:  What’s the hardest thing about the picture book to get right? Part of his answer: From an editor’s perspective? Getting the elements to work in sync. The words, yes, but making sure the illustrations also advance the story. Read the entire article for more answers.

I’ve never written a mystery, but maybe it’s time to get out of my comfort zone and try it. I never thought I could write poetry, but once I dabbled in it, I got published. Who knew?

“Great is the art of beginning, but greater the art is of ending.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

How to Begin Your Story.  How Do you have a good or a bad opening for your story? How can you tell? Here’s an article on the Institute for Writers blog that addresses this topic. “A fantastic story can be hindered by a bad opening,” starts the article off. Then we are given three pointers: (1) Something Happening – Strong openings are about thrusting us into a specific moment of the story and getting the thing moving. (2) A Surprise – A really strong opening almost always contains a surprise. (3) An Interesting Voice – Your writing should sound like your writing and no one else’s. Click on the link above to read more about beginnings of stories. 

And here’s another great piece from another Institute for Writers’ blog. This one offers “Five Common Character Motivations” for young readers. They list five: (1) Survival, (2) Peer Pressure, (3) Curiosity, (4) Guilt, and (5) Fear.  So after reading these, let’s get back to work on our writing.

I’ve been busy working on poetry and some picture book manuscripts. I also just signed up for a poetry workshop. Will let you know how that goes.

Always carry a notebook. And I mean always. The short-term memory only retains information for three minutes; unless it is committed to paper you can lose an idea forever. – Will Self

Poetry Collection. I’ve been working on a poetry collection of about 50 poems, so far. The theme is about characters on a certain street in my old neighborhood. As I look back, these were lively, spirited characters with different perspectives on life that made them so vibrant and rich.  Even though it’s been years, I still remember these vecinos (neighbors) who breathed life into my barrio. In my mind, I travel down the street with each character. I plan to enter this collection in poetry contests and see what happens. Wish me luck.

At one of the SCBWI conferences which I attended in Los Angeles a while back, Ms. Mem Fox was one of the keynote speakers. She is a highly-regarded picture-book author in Australia. Her books are read worldwide. On her blog, she listed 20 dos and 20 don’ts for writers writing picture books. Take a peek at her website to learn more.

Here’s a list of “The Most-Anticipated Children’s and YA Books of Spring 2017” published on the Publishers Weekly online blog. Great books!

Close the door. Write with no one looking over your shoulder. – Barbara Kingsolver

School Visits. This week I had the pleasure of doing two school visits in Austin. One was sponsored by Project WISE (Writers in Schools for Enrichment) at Uphaus Early Childhood Center and the other one was a regular reading/presentation/writing workshop at Bernice Hart Elementary. I did some of the readings both in English and Spanish since many students were bilingual. I always get inspired and energized by the enthusiasm of the students. That is why I write. My objective is that they will become lifelong readers.

Mountain Press is accepting submissions. According to their website: MOUNTAIN PRESS publishes nonfiction trade books for general audiences, both adults and children. We will consider proposals for projects in natural history (including field guides for birds, wildlife, plants, etc.), western U.S. history, and earth science. Visit their website above for specific guidelines.

The Institute of Children’s Literature is sponsoring another writing contest. This time the topic is a middle-grade-adventure fictional story. Remember, I entered their contest in 2015 and won the grand prize! Take a leap of faith and go for it!

A hook works because it creates a strong emotional bond between the readers and the central character. – The Writer’s Digest Writing Clinic

Writing Tips for Picture Books. Here’s the next interesting post on, “Editors at the top – Beach Lane’s Allyn Johnston,” on the Picture Book Builders blog. The interview was conducted by Barb Rosenstock. This is one of a four-part series interviewing editors that run their own imprints. Great article. Enjoy.

For Picture Book writers, listen up. The Josh Funk Books blog offers great tips (12 lessons) on how to delve into that genre. From “So you wrote a book, so what?” to “Story Arc Components.” A must read for picture book writers.

I’ve been doing research on a picture book myself. I was lucky enough to find primary sources for my story. After a year of searching, I finally came across some real-life people who added perspective and valuable details to the story I am writing. Awesome!

Writing is a way of talking without being interrupted. – Jules Renard (From the book, The Writer’s Daily Companion).

2017 Poetry Winner. Great way to start the New Year. I submitted a short poem in the middle of December 2015 to the 8^th annual “Poetry on the Move” contest in San Antonio. Out of 266 entries, my poem was one of 12 selected. My poem and that of the other winners will be printed on interior cards that will be placed in all our city buses and vans for the month of April 2017 for passengers to enjoy. An artist will interpret each poem that will be displayed on the buses. Isn’t that cool? Take a leap of faith and enter either a writing contest or a poetry contest. You never know.

Chautauqua

Here’s an interesting post, “Editors at the top – 7 sentences with Anne Schwartz,” on the Picture Book Builders blog. This one of a four-part series interviewing editors that run their own imprints. The second one is with Neal Porter, founder of Neal Porter Books, an imprint of Roaring Brook (Macmillan). Enjoy.

Wishing you a Happy New Year and success in your writing!

Words have weight, sound and appearance; it is only by considering these that you can write a sentence that is good to look at and good to listen to. – W. Somerset Maugham

Border Book Bash in Rio Grande Valley. Just returned from this fun and inspiring event held on December 3, 2016. Authors from all over Texas and beyond participated in this venue. Middle-grade students were bused in to listen to the authors speak about their books and the process of writing. The authors had as much fun as the students. We hope we inspired the students to read and write more and to become lifelong readers.

Authors at Rio Grande Valley Border Book Bash

If you’ve ever been interested in finding out whether a book is on the accelerated list, go to AR Finder and type in the title of the book. How easy is that?

Here’s some publishers accepting submissions:

Spencer Hill Press focuses on fiction, particularly YA and Romance. We do accept Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, and Middle-Grade submissions. We are particularly interested in books that are series. We do not accept manuscripts that are not complete.

Focus on the Family Clubhouse Jr. is a 32-page magazine designed to inspire, entertain and teach Christian values to children ages 3-7. Parents trust Clubhouse Jr. to provide wholesome, educational material with Scriptural or moral insight. Kids anticipate stories with excitement, adventure, action, humor or mystery. Your job, as a writer, is to create work that pleases both parents and children. Fiction: We feature fiction stories in each issue. We look for fresh, creative stories, especially those with children our audience’s age as the main character.

Lit Mag Submissions 101: How, When, and Where to Send Your Work on the Electric Lit blog. Very useful information on this site.

It’s that time of year again. I have been busy baking cookies for our family’s annual Christmas Cookie Exchange Party. It’s wonderful to gather with family, catch up on news, enjoy the conversation, taste the delicious brunch prepared by the host,  and best of all, share memories of the past and cherish one another.

Keep writing. Happy holidays and see you next year!!!

Laredo Book Festival in Texas.  I recently participated with other authors in the Laredo Book Festival. My daughter, illustrator Carolyn Dee Flores, and I did a dual presentation about snow cones because we both have books out about snow cones. Is that not too cool? She illustrated the picture book, A Surprise for Teresita, while my book was The Battle of the Snow Cones.

Author (right) with snow-cone machine and operator.

After the presentation, the library staff had a real honest-to-goodness snow-cone machine and those attending the festival enjoyed the delicious ice treats.

If you’re thinking about entering a writing contest, and you should be, take a peek at a post on the Institute for Writers blog, titled “How to Win a Writing Contest.” I just entered one a few weeks ago. Wish me luck.

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving.

Storyfest. A few days ago, I attended an event, “An Evening with the Authors” here in San Antonio. It was sponsored by the Friends of Northside Libraries as a fundraiser. The activity center where it was held was packed with authors, illustrators, teachers, and librarians. The authors rotated from table to table to talk about our books. It was a fun evening with a silent auction and books, books, books.

I also just got back from meeting with one of my critique groups. I took several poems that I want to submit to another contest—this time a poetry contest. Will let you know the results.

Here is an interesting link for the month of November. On the blog, Publishers Weekly ShelfTalker, “The Month of Mo” written by Elizabeth Bluemle, details NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). Also mentioned in the article is the National Picture Book Month calendar featuring authors and illustrators for the month of November. I was honored to have been featured as one of the “champions”  on this calendar in 2014.

Writing contests. I am getting ready to polish one of my YA manuscripts to submit to a writing contest. I have only days before the deadline but will make sure I make it. Here are some writing contests that you might be interested in submitting to. You never know. This could be the start you’re aiming for. Go for it and enter. Check those deadlines.

New Visions Award

River Teeth Literary Nonfiction Book Contest

Indiana Review Fiction Prize

Honickman First Book Prize

Lexi Rudnitsky First Book Prize in Poetry
Voted. Even though the lines were long, I went out and voted yesterday. I didn’t mind at all. It is a privilege and an honor to be able to do that.

VOTING LINE IN TEXAS