Hellooo Dearies!!!
I am so glad to be back after my August off of blogging, and so glad to see you all!!!
I know the year officially begins on January 1st, but really, September always feels like the new year to me. Too many years in school, I guess 🙂
It’s lovely to see so many friends reappearing on their blogs after a summer off. There is energy and excitement and enthusiasm in the air. I am, as always, full of ideas I don’t have enough time to implement (but that never stops me from thinking I can follow through on them somehow :))
There will probably be some changes afoot around here. I’m not sure what yet, exactly, but I might want to try something new and different on Mondays at some point… feel free to make suggestions in the comments if there’s something in particular you’d like to see. And I’m going to try (after today :)) to make my posts a little shorter… Stop laughing! Seriously! I can HEAR you!
I find I’m having a hard time keeping all the balls in the air, what with writing, teaching, critiquing, blogging/social media, school visits, marketing, continuing ed, and my position as COO in a home with a husband, 5 kids, 2 dogs, aging parents just down the road and a pony up the road, so my answer to that is A SCHEDULE. Novel idea, don’t you think? I haven’t written it down yet, but I am cogitating on it (er, since January…), and I feel confident that at some point a Master Plan that is helpful and productive will emerge that will allow me to get everything done in half the time. There is a faction here on Blueberry Hill that objects to me working 24/7 🙂 You’ll know the Master Plan is in place when I tell you I’ve read a book longer than 32 pages for fun 🙂
I’m already looking forward to the upcoming writing contests! and I’ll give you a heads up: The Halloweensie Contest will run from October 27-31, and The Holiday Contest will run from December 8-12. In both cases the judging, voting, and winner announcements will occur in the week following. So mark your calendars 🙂
Now, before we go a step further, there is something CRUCIAL we must attend to after these weeks off! It’s time for…
SOMETHING CHOCOLATE!!!
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| Ultimate Brownie Sundae – YUM! |
And something specially NOT chocolate for Julie R-Z because she did something deserving of a special treat and she doesn’t like chocolate for breakfast – go figure! (And if you give me a few minutes I might remember what it was she did – all I have here is a note that it had something to do with a survey… :))
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| Glazed Apple Crumb Muffins! Recipe here: http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2014/06/10/glazed-apple-crumb-muffins/ |
Alrighty! Now that we have bolstered our blood sugar, let’s continue, shall we?
(The problem with vacation is there’s always catching up to do afterwards.)
First, did I get a chance to tell you who won the June and July Pitch Picks?
I think I mentioned that Kimberly had won the June pick with her pitch for Sprinkles The Clown. But we can’t have gotten around to the July winner yet because we haven’t been here! The July Pitch Pick was won by Brandie with her pitch for The Trouble With Keeping Vikings! Congratulations to Kimberly and Brandie as well as to all the other brave and talented writers who submitted pitches. Your pitches were ALL so good, and it’s such a wonderful opportunity for us all to learn from each other!
Second, we have Straight From The Editor for both June and July!
Let’s start with June since that appeals to my sense of orderly chronology. Because I am so orderly 🙂 (Please refer back to the Master Plan under construction :))
You will recall Kimberly’s pitch for her picture book, Sprinkles The Clown:
Here are editor Erin Molta’s insightful thoughts:
This sounds cute, though for a pitch you need to be a little more specific. Don’t worry about giving it all away. I’m assuming that all the kids are clowns, right? So I’d say something like I’ve done below. Also what is a “true” clowning skill? I would definitely say what Sprinkles did that made all of the other little clowns feel safer or less afraid.
Sprinkles the Clown wants to fit in with her classmates on the first day of Kindergarten, but when her show-and-tell juggling act goes wrong, all the other little clowns laugh at her. However, as a storm rolls in scaring all the students, Sprinkles puts her own fears aside and [does what?] to save the day!
Brandie’s pitch for her picture book, The Trouble With Keeping Vikings, was as follows:
Erin had this to say:
I love Vikings and they are somewhat “hot” now, so this definitely has potential, but no need to hide so much. Who is the boy calling? An editor might be so curious that they’ll ask for the manuscript to find out, but usually they’ll ask because the idea intrigues them and they want to see how you go about it. So it’s much better to give them as much information to aid in that process as possible.
Thanks as always to Erin for her very helpful thoughts. We are so lucky that she is such a cheerful contributor to this series!
Now, then. The moment you’ve all been waiting for – Would You Read It!
Today’s pitch comes to us from Hope who says, “I used to travel around the globe, working as a contract interpreter for the US State Department and a freelance translator until I became a mother. Now as the mother of two children, I continue my love of language by reading with them and writing.”
Here is her pitch:
Working Title: Cleo And Pinkie
Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 4-8)
The Pitch: Cleo is always busy doing something, but that often turns into trouble. As Mommy grumbles, Cleo brings in Pinkie, her imaginary, mischievous friend, and blames him for everything. “Pinkie did it!” But soon Mommy can’t tolerate it anymore and declares, “No more Pinkie!” With Pinkie gone, the house is quiet and trouble free until Mommy discovers another mess…this time to her delightful surprise.
So what do you think? Would You Read It? YES, MAYBE or NO?
Hope is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch! I am looking forward to getting back into a routine and implementing my Master Plan… as soon as I think it up 🙂 I am also looking forward to starting up Perfect Picture Book Fridays again in only 2 days! I have a special one on deck for you that includes a giveaway so yay! 🙂
Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone! So glad we’re all back together again! 🙂
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Welcome back, Susanna! Missed ya much! Great advice on the pitch picks – and from what I saw there, I think I have some advice for the lovely Hope (whose pitch gets a “yes” from me!). It seems Erin (and by extension, every agent in the world LOL) is more likely to request if they KNOW what happens. So I'd suggest that Hope tell us what the last mess is 🙂
Looking forward to PPBF too – though I am feeling like a headless chicken at the moment, so may not have a contribution this particular week!
I'm very happy to see WYRI? Wednesdays back! I was also very glad for Erin's advice on my pitch as it showed me that it needs more work! I obviously need to make it clearer that Sprinkles is the ONLY clown in her class full of regular kids and it's good to know that it's ok to tell the ending. I always thought a pitch should entice the reader to want to know what happens but I guess that's not the case!
Therefore, while I give Hope a yes, I'd also advise her to take Erin's advice and not be so secretive about the ending.
Welcome back indeed! I've really missed Wednesdays being special but totally get why you needed some time for you.
Congrats to both winners, first then as to Hope's pitch, it's a YES for me. My kids also had imaginary friends who were blamed for mischief, so the topic is appealing, love the names, and don't mind the mysterious ending.
Like Kimberly and Joanne, I want to know what the delightful surprise is and since Erin so kindly gave her advice to spill the beans, maybe the revsion can reflect that. Good luck, Hope!!
Welcome back, Susanna! Those blog breaks go fast don't they? But like you , I am thrilled to be back. I had the summer from hell and look forward to starting over in the new year. I think a grand Master Schedule is a fine idea. Give it to us i a blog post ok? I would like one of my own. 🙂
Yes, I would read it. The first sentence of this pitch grabs my interest right away. This is a character I want to read about, one who is always busy doing something but that something often turns into trouble. The last sentence makes me want to find out what the delightful surprise is.
Welcome back and I vote for a schedule, but make sure there is some YOU time on there!!! Mine is a yes for Hope's pitch and I don't mind the mysterious end, though I feel kinda sad that Pinkie gets ousted!
A schedule? A master plan? I'll believe it when I see it! (stuffing mouth full of chocolate) now on to the pitch: I really like the idea of “Pinkie did it” – and I am very curious about the mess at the end of the book. So yes, I would read it.
You sound so cheery for being back, Susanna! After a month off, I'd be like, “nooooo; you can't make me go baaaaack!” Heh! But, then, I'm a lazy-butt and you're not.
One idea, if you wanted to keep the 3 posts a week schedule is to have guest posts on Mondays so you don't have to do as much for it. Another thought would be to do a photo post…pictures of your horses or dogs or around the home…where you don't have to write more than just a line or two.
Personally, I'd take the day off and just do two posts a week, but, again, I'm a lazy-butt. 😀
Great feedback from Erin, as always. Congrats again to Kimberly and also to Brandie!
I would read Cleo and Pinkie because I think kids love imaginary friends stories. I second what Joanne Sher said about telling us what happens because it seems like editors actually want to know instead of leaving the ending vague and cliff-hanging. Good luck with it, Hope!
Missed you, Susanna. 🙂 After reading the pitch I'm a maybe. In the last sentence it seems like it's Mom's book/her revelation and that she is the MC instead of Cleo. But I love imaginary friends.
Hi, Hope! Yes, I would definitely read this. It sounds like a fun twist on having an imaginary friend. I do wonder what that mess could be that Mommy would think was a delightful surprise! In reading Erin Molta's responses to the other pitches, I wonder if you should give a tiny bit more of a hint at what that surprise might be? Just a thought. 🙂
And Susanna, I can't wait for Halloweensie and the Holiday contest! Thanks for a head's up on the dates.
I agree with this assessment. I don't think it would take too much editing to “flip” the emphasis. And the writing could be a little tighter when the emphasis gets flipped, something like “When Mommy declares 'No more Pinkie!' Cleo [does something].” And like all the others are saying in response to Erin's feedback, say what that something is.
Sounds like Cleo could be a great character!
Welcome back, Susanna! I haven't made it back to post on my own blog, yet. And I don't have 5 kids! My mother-in-law passed away the night following my father-in-law's memorial in mid-August, so our family is reeling from a different kind of busy. When you develop your master plan, I'd love it if you could share it with us. I'm in need of one! 😀
Welcome back! I don't think you need a Master Plan . . . you need a stable of minions to assist you in your various endeavors.
First of all, welcome back. Second of all, the brownie sundae – yes please. Third of all, if I had a pony up the road, my “schedule” would be all pony all the time (even though I have never touched a pony or seen one up close). I'm pretty sure I love ponies. Now to the pitch: I enjoy imaginary friends who take the blame, so yes, I would read it like crazy. I like the beginning of the pitch, but it got a little vague at the end. Is there a way to give one or two hints without giving away the solution?
Glad you are back, Susanna. I do like the pitch, but would like to know more. I don't think it's a good idea to hide what happens, so I would like more. I like imaginary friend stories, so I would read this.
Thank you so much for your advice and being the first one to comment, Joanne! ^^
Thank you for your comment, Kimberly!
Linda, our kids are the same! They still blame Pinkie for everything. ^^ Thank you!
Thank you for your advice!! ^^ I will work on “spilling the beans” in my revision.
Carol, thank you for your support and taking the time to read my pitch!!
Thank you for sharing your sentiment. Pinkie is sure to come back. ^^
Thank you, Sue, for taking the time to read my pitch! ^^
Teresa, thank you so much for your helpful thoughts! ^^
Thank you for your insight! ^^
Thank you so much for your feedback! Very helpful! ^^
Thank you so much for your insight and feedback!
Debbie, thank you so much for your thoughts!!
Thank you for your helpful comments!! ^^
Thank you for taking the time to read my pitch! ^^
Welcome back, Susanna! And congratulations to Kimberly and Brandie!
As far as today's pitch, I'm a yes because I think imaginary friend stories have great potential. I do think the pitch needs to be flipped since the focus is on Mommy. I imagine the story focuses more on Cleo, so that should be reflected in the pitch. I have a tendency to leave vague hints in my pitches, so I understand the draw to do so. But it seems from Erin Molta's feedback that being more specific might entice an editor/agent to want to know exactly how you pull it off. Good luck, Hope!
So happy to see WYRI Wednesday back! and If you get your Master Plan in shape please let us know what it is as I'm certain with small tweaking we could all make it work for us also! The chocolate looks scrumptious as always! Congratulations to Kimberly and Brandie for winning the June/July contests – can't wait to read your books some day!! As for today's pitch – great job Hope! I agree with everyone. I would read it as imaginary friends can be so much fun but the emphasis needs to be on Cleo. What are some of the 'accidents' Cleo has created? And to know what the last one is would really give us a sense of whether Cleo grows from her prior behavior.
So nice to see you, Kim 🙂 And if I ever figure out the Master Plan I will certainly let you know what it is 🙂 Thanks so much for your helpful comments for Hope!
Thanks, Erin! 🙂 And thanks so much for your thoughtful comments for Hope!
Hi Rosi! So nice to see you 🙂 Thanks so much for your thoughts for Hope!
Thank you, Genevieve, it's lovely to see you 🙂 Please help yourself to as much brownie sundae as you like! Pony up the road is my daughter's and the only way we can afford to keep her is for me to do barn work… hence the time element… but she is cute 🙂 Thanks so much for your comments for Hope!
Thanks, Nancy! So nice to see you 🙂 And yes! You are exactly right! I said the same thing to my children today, yet shockingly they did not volunteer to be those minions 🙂
Thank you, Jilanne! I'm so sorry to hear about your MIL and FIL 😦 It was that kind of summer, somehow. It was the same for us… too many losses. I hope you're doing okay. And as for the Master Plan, I'll be happy to share it if I ever figure it out 🙂 I'm afraid it may involve monkeying with the Space-Time Continuum 🙂
Thanks so much for your helpful comments for Hope, Debbie! And you're welcome for the dates – I can't wait to read your entries 🙂
You're kind to say so, Frances, but I feel more like I'm floundering 🙂 Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments for Hope, and lovely to see you again! 🙂
Missed you too, Wendy! 🙂 Thanks so much for your comments for Hope.
Hahaha! You're so funny! I'm so happy to see you again, Teresa 🙂 And you are NOT a lazy-butt! And I confess, I did feel a bit like that… but I'm so glad to see everyone that dragging myself back to the blogzone is worth it 🙂 Thanks for your suggestions… I will definitely consider them… and thanks so much for your thoughtful comments for Hope!
Hahaha! You are right to believe it when you see it! You know me too well 🙂 Glad you're enjoying the chocolate, and thanks so much for your comments for Hope!
Hi Joanna! So lovely to see you! Scheduling is not my strong point (I know. You're shocked to hear that. :)) but I aim to try. Thanks for your thoughts for Hope!
Thanks so much for your helpful comments for Hope, Carol!
Thanks so much for your helpful thoughts for Hope, Clar! And it's so nice to see you again! I had a summer from hell too – oddly, it seems like quite a few people did – so I hope things will look up for everyone now. And apparently a lot of people are also in need of a Master Plan, so if I think one up I'll definitely share it… but don't hold your breath 🙂
Thank you, Linda! So nice to see you again! And thanks for your comments for Hope!
YEAH! Susanna is BACK! Greta tips from Erin – as always! I would read Hope's story, but suggest the front part of the pitch be dropped, and start off the bat with Pinkie:
Cleo often finds herself in trouble and blames her imaginary, mischievous friend Pinky for everything. “Pinkie did it!” But soon Mommy can’t tolerate it anymore and declares, “No more Pinkie!” With Pinkie gone, the house is quiet and trouble free until Mommy discovers another mess…this time to her delightful surprise.
I'd also like to know more about that delightful surprise of a mess!
I'm so glad if Erin's comments were helpful to you, Kimberly, and you are right (and very kind) to share the advice with Hope!
Thank you, Joanne! Missed ya much too and very glad to see you 🙂 Thanks for your thoughts for Hope, and no worries about PPBF – I feel like a headless chicken too 🙂
Hi Julie! MWAH! So happy to see you 🙂 And thank you so much for your very helpful rewording of the pitch – I know Hope will find it helpful! How'd I do on the non-chocolate treat? Do you like apple muffins?