Category: contests

Meet Cori Doerrfeld!

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Okay, all you picture book fans.  Big excitement today!  Allow me to introduce you to Cori Doerrfeld, author/illustrator of PENNY LOVES PINK, as well as illustrator of 14 other books!

Cori has so many interesting things to share, that I am going to divide her interview between today and tomorrow.  At the end, there will be a contest, and the prize will be a free signed copy of PENNY LOVES PINK.  Woo-hoo!

Welcome, Cori, and thanks so much for joining us!  I am especially interested in talking to you because you do both writing and illustrating, so your approach to creating picture books comes from a whole different angle than mine does!

Cori Doerrfeld and devoted fan 🙂

SLH:  When did you first become interested in writing and illustrating?

CD:   As I child I was always creating something.  I would cut out paper animals and leaves and turn our family room into a jungle.  I would terrify my little sister with ghostly stories about the old mirror under her bed.  In school I was always recognized as the “kid who could draw” and fulfilled many requests for Ninja Turtles, Roger Rabbit, and Aladdin.  I was always eager to participate in the yearly “Young  Authors” competition, although I never won.  Many of my teachers, however, encouraged me to focus on my writing skills.  In high school I participated in a few competitions and I did win a full college scholarship based on a fantasy story I wrote.  Unfortunately, I did not attend that college…but instead went on to receive my BA from St. Olaf College.  I focused solely on my art while I was there, and really didn’t come back to the idea of writing and illustrating until about 8 years ago.  The short answer: writing and illustrating have always been a part of my life in some form or another.

One of Cori’s early drawings!



SLH:  Which came first for you – writing or illustrating?  Does one help you with the other?

CD:  Drawing has always been the number one way I spend my free time.  I drew everything as a child, from unicorns to portraits of Jack Nicholson.  As mentioned above, I wrote for school, and enjoyed doing it, but art has always been my main passion.  Professionally, I also find myself more in the realm of illustrator than author.  I was first hired to work on books as an illustrator, and I am just now getting the chance to prove if I can juggle both roles.  When I write, I often think in imagery, almost like a storyboard reel for a film.  Most of my stories emerge from random sketches and doodles.  I often thumbnail an entire book, and then go back to create text for each page.

Another early drawing

SLH:  What is your typical work day like?  How do you find time to write while being a mom?  Any particular rituals that help you get into work, or do you have a favorite time of day to work?

CD:  My typical work day is anything but typical.  I am for now, a mom first.  My husband also takes on freelance work…so I have to factor that into my work time as well.  The best solution we have come up with is simply trading off evenings and weekend days.  When it is my night to work, I try to get down to my studio as quickly as I can after dinner.  I usually pick a podcast or playlist of music to listen to, and get right to work.  When you have limited time, there are few seconds to spend on ritual or sometimes even making sure your work space is clean!  I literally take a seat, and get to work!  My favorite time to work is late morning, which I only get once a week for now.  Luckily, I do not have any other jobs to compete with my time, but I would love to find something part time at some point for a more stable source of income. 

Cori’s studio

SLH:  What was your first published children’s book?

CD:  The first children’s book I ever worked on was called, “Ticktock: Time Nursery Rhymes”.  It was published through a local educational publisher called Picture Window Books.  I believe it came out in 2007.  Since that first book I have illustrated nine more titles with Picture Window Books, two with Harper Collins, three with Little Brown, and one with Dial Books for Young Readers to make a grand total of fifteen books!


SLH:  Do you work for one publisher or multiple publishers?  If multiple, do you find the different houses different to work for?

CD:  As I mentioned above, I have worked with several different publishers…and they are all their own unique experience.  Picture Window Books is a smaller, local publisher so they really gave me total freedom with my art and layouts.  The bigger publishers, however get far more involved….which has been both good and bad.  Some of my most challenging experiences were while working on the Brooke Shields books.  I had to not only please my editors, but Brooke also got to personally approve each drawing…even though I never directly heard from her!  It has been interesting working with different publishers.  Some have been very laid back and fun to work with, while others are more passive aggressive and controlling.  The biggest issues I have ever run into, have been over time.  It is so frustrating when you work so hard to stay on schedule, only for things to get tied up and dragged out on the publishers end.  Overall, I have truly enjoyed working with the editors and staff at each publisher…every book is it’s own adventure!  


SLH:  What is your process when you receive a manuscript?  How do you evaluate whether you think it’s a manuscript you can illustrate?  Have you ever turned a manuscript down?

CD:  First,  I have never turned down a manuscript…although if a story didn’t seem like a good fit, I would consider passing.  Usually a publisher will email me a manuscript roughly broken up according to spreads.  I always start with thumbnails, quick rough little drawings that try to capture the basic shapes and layout of each page.  From there I move on to rough sketches.  I always scan all of my sketches, clean them up and play around with them in Photoshop, and then I actually layout the book myself with text in Indesign.  This truly gives me an instant feel for how the book will look.  I also do color roughs in Photoshop, so all my colors are planned out before I paint.  I send PDF’s of the book all laid out to the editors, and if they approve the sketch, I go ahead and paint the final! 


SLH:  What is your medium of choice?  Do you always illustrate in watercolor, for example, or do you use different approaches for different books?

CD:  Most of my books have been created with acrylic paint.  I have done a few books digitally, but my medium of choice is acrylic.  I paint on Bristol paper, with no prep layer.  I have dabbled in pastels as well…but the dust drives me crazy!  I would love to explore other ways of using paint, or perhaps some pencil or ink…but I find that the more work I do, the more anal I become.  And there is nothing more satisfying, then just instantly painting over a mistake when you’re using acrylic paint! 

SLH:  You have illustrated books for a celebrity (Brooke Shields).  Was that process different in any way from your other projects?  Were there special requirements because you were working on a celeb book?  Did you ever actually communicate with Brooke in any way?

CD:  I briefly touched on the celebrity book experience above.  The two books I illustrated for Brooke Shields did involve several unique factors and challenges.  Brooke was very involved, taking the time to go over all my artwork.  She communicated with me through my editors.  I never received one email, note, autograph, or personal thank you from Brooke.  Although when I was struggling to complete the work on the second book after the birth of my first child, they did send me a copy of her book on postpartum depression.  The biggest challenge on the celebrity books was the time crunch.  These books were done very quickly, with barely seconds of wiggle room.  I pulled my first all nighters since college!  

Well, I don’t know about you all, but I find Cori’s process and experience fascinating!  I hope you’ll all join me tomorrow for the second half of Cori’s interview and the contest to win her book!  And if any of you have questions for Cori, post them in the comments and we may be able to include answers in tomorrow’s post!


A School Visit With Chocolate And A Tiara On Top!

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First things first:  yesterday’s contest for a free, personalized signed copy of Karen Orloff’s new picture book, I WANNA NEW ROOM, is still open.  Check yesterday’s post.  Meet Karen.  Enter to win 🙂

Now…

One of the things I love about writing for children is getting the chance to visit local schools and share my stories with the people I wrote them for.

Yesterday I had the privilege of visiting a local pre-school.  I was supposed to go last week on Groundhog Day but we got snowed out and had to reschedule.  That’s been happening a lot lately… I think I’d best send Phyllis to have a word with the Weather Man!

Luckily, the sun was shining yesterday (even though it was zero!) so Phyllis and I were able to make our way to Millbrook Community Preschool.

Imagine Phyllis’s surprise and delight when she discovered that the children had presents for her!

They made her a tiara which says “Phyllis” on one side and “Queen Groundhog” on the other!

Here.  She will model it for you…

I hope you can see how sparkly it is, and how exceptionally beautiful she looks even though I know the print is too small to read.

Wait.  Maybe we can get closer up…

That’s better!  Is that gorgeous or what?!  Phyllis refused to take it off (which is why she was wearing it with her scarf as we were leaving.)  She asked me specially to tell all the kids at MCP that she slept in it last night and she is quite certain that it was responsible for her wonderful dreams in which it was already spring 🙂  She is also fairly certain that when she sings with it on, her voice is even more beautiful… if that’s possible!

As if a sparkly tiara weren’t enough, the children also presented her with a bar of dark chocolate, which was their best guess as to what her favorite food would be.  She wishes them to know it was simply scrumptious… and yes, she brushed her teeth after… all 30 of them 🙂

Here she is with her chocolate (it’s pretty hard to see because it’s wrapped in purple, but she’s holding it on her paws)

Good thing we took the picture when we did… that chocolate is nothing but a happy memory now 🙂

We had a wonderful time as we always do at MCP.  In case any of you happen to be in the market for a local preschool, I highly recommend it.  It is run by Diane Schnoor (who also happens to look simply smashing in a tiara.  She and Phyllis may be twins separated at birth… who can tell?)

And now, Phyllis and I are off to Sophie Finn Elementary School where, even though there will be lots more kids, they’re going to have to work pretty hard to come up with anything as wonderful as a sparkly tiara and a bar of dark chocolate 🙂

Don’t forget – entries are still open in yesterday’s contest!  Scroll down and read about Karen Orloff and enter to win a copy of her new picture book!

Meet Karen Orloff!

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At last!  The big day is here!
Today I am thrilled to introduce you all to Karen Orloff!  Not only will you get to meet her, but at the end there will be a contest and you could be the lucky winner of a signed copy of I WANNA NEW ROOM!



Karen is an ex-magazine editor, currently  the author of four picture books:  I WANNA IGUANA, IF MOM HAD THREE ARMS, I WANNA NEW ROOM, and the forthcoming TALK, OSCAR, PLEASE!  She also writes two columns for The Poughkeepsie Journal and teaches classes for adults interested in writing for children at Merritt Books in Millbrook, NY. 

Welcome, Karen!  Thank you so much for joining us this morning!

SLH:  How did you get interested in writing for children?

KKO:  When I left my full-time editing job to be a stay-at-home mom, I naturally got interested in children’s books. Since I’ve always loved to write, I thought I could try to do that! Of course, it was easier said than done.

SLH:  What made you choose picture books?

KKO:  When I first started, I had no idea I could write picture books, since I wasn’t an illustrator. So I wrote a middle-grade novel! I got some nice feedback from a couple of publishers but it was ultimately rejected. Discouraged (I also hadn’t yet learned about resilience!) I shelved it. A couple of years later, I went to a conference and discovered I didn’t have to be an artist to write picture books after all! That freed me up to work on stories for younger kids.


SLH:  How did you get your ideas for I WANNA IGUANA, IF MOM HAD THREE ARMS, and I WANNA NEW ROOM?


KKO:  The iguana book came from my real life situation: My kids wanted a dog and we had allergy issues. So we opted for iguanas, something I wasn’t exactly warmed up to. The idea of the letters just sort of popped in my head as a cute format. And I walked around with the title “I Wanna Iguana” on my tongue for weeks before I actually wrote anything down. The companion book, “I Wanna New Room” went through many transitions before I got it right. I knew I wanted to do some sort of sequel but the actual story was hard to pinpoint. When my editor, Susan Kochan, said some eye-opening words – “It doesn’t have to necessarily be about the iguana – you can put Alex into another situation where he wants something” – all of a sudden, I had lots of new ideas. Of course, it still took a while to come up with the idea of having a new baby in the house, forcing Alex out of his room. In one draft, I had Alex asking for a new bike. Susan finally liked the brother dynamic of I Wanna New Room the best.


As far as If Mom Had Three Arms – I think this just came out of the
fact that I was a busy mom. I mean, what mom wouldn’t love to have an
extra arm to do more things?

My newest book, "Talk, Oscar,Please!" (Sterling, to be released March 1, 2011) probably came out of my relationship with Bailey, our dog.  Yes, we did finally get a dog and no one is allergic to her, thank goodness!

SLH:  What (if anything) do you wish teachers, librarians and/or parents knew about writing for children and/or do you have any advice for beginning writers?

KKO:  People are always surprised to know that my books are not always published by the same publisher. They want to know why I’ve “switched.” I tell them I didn’t switch, but for whatever reason, my first editor passed on a manuscript and so I tried to sell it to others. They don’t realize that having one book with an editor doesn't mean every single thing you write after that will get published! It’s that whole perception that writing for kids and getting published is easy that drives me crazy! It’s a struggle. There are many reasons why manuscripts get rejected. It may be too similar a story to something already out there, it might be too “slight” to be worthy of the investment of a picture book, it might just not be that particular editor’s taste, etc. I always tell new writers that you must be persistent! Getting a few rejections is nothing! It’s all part of the process. It actually makes your writing stronger. You must have a thick skin and keep on going if you want to get published in this tough market.

It literally took me ten years of writing, going to classes, attending workshops and conferences, sharing my work with critique groups, and revising my stories over and over before I got my first acceptance. After that, it gets a little easier because you’ve learned so much about your craft. But you are always still learning, still improving, etc. You’ve got to just keep with it!

Thank you so much, Karen!

If anyone is interested in learning more about Karen, her books, and her classes on writing for children, please visit her website.  Her books are available on Amazon, but if you'd like signed copies you can order from Merritt Book Store! (search Karen Orloff or her book titles)
And now, for the CONTEST!  I'm going to make this one easy for you 🙂
If you'd like to win a personally signed copy of I WANNA NEW ROOM, all you have to do is:
1) be a follower of this blog, and 
2) leave a comment about why you'd like a copy of the book
on this post by Friday, Feb. 12 at 9 AM which is when I will conduct a random drawing for a winner!
Good Luck!

Chasing Away The January Blues

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Yep, in case you were wondering, it’s still January.  It’s still cold.  And it’s snowing… again….  I’m guessing y’all could use a little pick-me-up.  Am I right or am I right or am I right?
So I will give you a quick glimpse of things to come and then you’ll have something to look forward to!
Very soon (we’re going with vague here because, well, I don’t actually know when they’ll be ready) we will be having a guest post with Kathy Welsh, creator of Country Courier Magazine, who may have some opportunities for aspiring writers!
Also, possibly even more exciting (if you can imagine that) a guest post with Cori Doerrfeld, the talented author/illustrator of the new children’s picture book PENNY LOVES PINK.  Her post will include a contest for a free signed copy of PENNY!

Also, a guest post with Karen Orloff, author of the best-selling I WANNA IGUANA and the new I WANNA NEW ROOM!  Her post will include a contest for a free signed copy of I WANNA NEW ROOM!

Also (yes! even more!) an upcoming guest-post with Donna Farrell, children’s illustrator and creator of beautiful websites and blogs for children’s authors, illustrators, and others, which will discuss important design features to keep in mind when creating an internet presence.  Maybe we’ll think up a contest and prize to go with that too!
So now, aren’t you all feeling much better?  Filled with enthusiasm to head out to work in the frigid, snowy darkness?  (Well, maybe not that much better… :))
Here’s a little something to occupy your mind so you don’t think about how January it still is:
What kinds of games/contests do you like to play?  If we were having a game/contest on this blog, for example, say, to give away a copy of a book like PENNY :), what do you think would be fun?
Anyone who posts a comment with ideas will get an extra chance at PENNY or NEW ROOM (please specify your preference) for every useful unique contest idea they contribute.  (First one to list the idea gets the credit for that idea.)  That’s like a contest for contests!  So fire when ready – I’m open to all ideas!  (And Teri, I will count yours from back in December when you listed them in the Contest Contest post!)
Mwaa-ha-ha… I think we showed those January blues who is boss!

Thursday Thrills!

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I know.  You can barely contain your excitement for today’s post.  I apologize if I’m responsible for keeping you up all night, tossing and turning, checking the clock every thirty seconds in hopes that it was morning so you could finally tune in and see who won the contest and what the surprise is 🙂

But you can stop champing at the bit.  The big moment has arrived….  Who knew Thursday could be this thrilling?

First, I am pleased to announce the winner of Monday’s Picture Book Game Contest!

(Drum roll please… Drrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!)

And the winner is…. Jenny!

Congratulations, Jenny, come on down!

Let’s show Jenny her prize.  In addition to the SLHill title of her choice, personally signed in any way she’d like, Jenny wins the admiration of her puzzle-solving peers, and the opportunity to have her name up in pink on this blog!  YAY, JENNY!!!  

(Jenny, please use the “email me” button in the right margin of the blog to let me know which book you’d like, how you want it signed, and what your mailing address is.  Well done!)

I think our other finalists deserve a moment of recognition for their stellar attempts, don’t you?  So we will celebrate them in runner-up orange:  Yay, Megan, Teri, and Diane!  Excellent work!

To everyone else, good try and don’t worry… there will be other opportunities to win soon.  You know perfectly well that I can’t resist making up contests 🙂

Now, for the surprise.  Really, could this day get any better?

The book trailer for April Fool, Phyllis! is at last up and running on YouTube!  Here’s the link:

April Fool, Phyllis! – Children’s Picture Book Trailer

Please turn the sound up so you can hear the catchy tune that goes with it (although I should warn you – if you’re like me, it’s liable to get stuck in your head for weeks :))

Please feel free to click “like” and share the link with every single person you know – I want to go viral 🙂  Wouldn’t that be awesome?  Probably there should be a book trailer award for homemade imovie trailers – like an Academy Award – only instead of the Oscar it could be the Phyllis… 🙂

Enjoy, everyone!  And don’t forget to join me here at 10:30 for The Writer’s Club where this morning’s topic will be… anything you feel like talking about!

Contest Update: Keep Those Entries Coming!

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Nothing like a low pressure system bringing rain, ice, sleet, and snow to make everyone feel like they’d rather play a game then work.

Actually, now that I think of it, it’s possible the weather doesn’t have that much to do with it…

But anyway, check it out!  We have 4 finalists so far – 4 people who are so familiar with children’s picture books that they were able to solve the entire list.  Not to mention, a couple others who are doing pretty well.  I’m impressed!  (And in case you are wondering why you haven’t seen their lists, I have deliberately not posted their responses yet, lest you be overcome by an irresistible temptation to peek :))  Congratulations to Megan, Jenny, Teri, and Diane!  Who else is going to join them in the pantheon of contenders for a free book?  You still have 15 plus hours to get your entry in…

(And I must add, bonus points to Jenny who responded with a challenge of her own – clearly a puzzle junkie after my own heart!)

Get those entries in, folks.  Let’s give Megan, Jenny, Teri, and Diane a run for their money!  If you’re just tuning in, you will find all the information you need in Monday’s post – Blue Monday? Bah! Humbug! Play The Write Contest! – just scroll down 🙂

The winner will be announced TOMORROW!  I suggest a reduced intake of caffeine and chocolate today lest you find yourself uncontrollably excited.  Cake should be OK though… wheat (whole grain), eggs (protein), milk (calcium)… it’s practically health food 🙂

Ouch! A Hard Day for Punxsutawney Phyllis!

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So, how’s everyone doing on yesterday’s contest?  Still hard at work, I hope?

I’ve received 2 attempts so far.  One person got 5 titles, but only 2 complete with author.  The other person got 14 completely correct – well done! (but in order to help you resist temptation, I have not published her post yet :))

Let’s give them some competition!  Remember, there’s a prize up for grabs.  If you win you can give it to a child, donate it to a classroom or library, or keep it for yourself 🙂  And I’ll give you another hint:  one of the answers is a COMPLETE giveaway.  If you don’t get that one, REALLY!

For anyone who didn’t see yesterday’s post, please scroll down and join the fun!  A contest is only a contest if people enter 🙂

Now, I have something truly horrifying to share with you…

(You think I’m kidding, but just wait until you see!)

Only a few days ago, when I was discussing the writer’s club, I mentioned my disappointment that Phyllis didn’t have a stuffedty in her honor.  Well, it turns out I was wrong.  She has one, but not created by me, or Holiday House, or Jeff Ebbeler.  That would have been awesome and cute.

Apparently the Punxsutawney Chamber of Commerce has decided to embrace the idea that Punxsutawney Phil has a wife named Punxsutawney Phyllis (I ask you!) and, for the first time ever, has created a plush toy in her honor.  You have to see it to truly feel my pain.  Prepare yourself (seriously!) and click the link below:

Punxsutawney Phyllis doll

Poor Phyllis.  Her name has been besmirched.  Really, I think the only solution is for me (or Holiday House or Jeff) to make a real Phyllis stuffedty.  She should be cute and furry, with her little green overalls with the yellow flower.

Problem is, I have no idea how to go about that.  Anyone?  Anyone?  Phyllis’s honor is at stake.  She needs to be redeemed or she’s going to have a hard time holding her head up in public!

If anyone is interested, there is also an article about the wife.  Please feel free to read it… and then write to the Punxsutawney Chamber of Commerce and tell them they’ve got it all wrong!  Phyllis is Phil’s great niece, she’s really cute, she already has a book about her, and she deserves a plush toy that will do her proud!  (And the Chamber of Commerce could get a lot more sales and good publicity out of a children’s book and cute toy… just sayin’!)

Shame on Punxsutawney!  But they still have time to get it right… 🙂

Now, thinking caps on everyone, and back to the contest.  There’s a prize to be won!

Blue Monday? Bah! Humbug! Play the Write Contest!

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When I was in school, back in the 1900s, I liked English (surprise, surprise!)

Math, not so much.  I mean, seriously, what are you supposed to do with this?

Well, since you asked, that is the formula for calculating the most depressing day of the year, whereby Sky Travel hoped to book a lot of vacations.

Taking into account the weather, debt, time since the holidays, failure of New Year’s resolutions, motivational level, the need to take action, and the fact that it’s Monday, the formula doesn’t actually work and is completely meaningless in mathematical terms.  And yet it still allows us to know that today, January 17, 2011, is the Most Depressing Day of this Year.  See how useful math is(n’t)?

Even though it’s totally bogus, it has become a self-fulfilling prophecy.  Now that people know which day they’re supposed to be most depressed, they follow along like sheep.

But here’s what I think.  Bah!  Humbug!  I don’t want you to be depressed!  It’s a beautiful day (even though it’s zero!) and I have something to cheer you up!  A game!  With a prize!

Below is a list of (I think pretty) well-known picture books and their authors.  The trick is, all you get is initials.  For example:  CW by EBW (which would, of course, be Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White – yes, I realize that’s not a picture book, I’m just giving you an example – I don’t want to give away the farm!)

Get it?

So figure them all out and list them in the comments (and no cheating! – we’re on the honor system here!  Keep your eyes on your own paper because other people might be wrong, and if you copy you will not have the satisfaction of a job well done and you will feel guilty should you win!)

If you get them all, you will be eligible to win a free signed copy of whichever of my books you want (although if you choose April Fool, Phyllis you’ll have to wait a bit because I don’t have any yet :))  This is assuming anyone plays and that at least one person gets all the answers.

Since I realize not everyone reads all blogs every day, you have until midnight Wednesday January 19 to get your answers in.  You may ask for an extension if need be.  Since I am in charge, and exceptionally nice, I might consider it. And I’ll give you one hint:  these are all traditional picture books – not novelty books or early readers –  and they are all personal favorites (and that was actually two hints!)

So, you’re not depressed anymore, are you?  You’re energized, motivated, and gung-ho to beat everyone else to the finish line!

Good luck everyone!  Ready, set, GO!

1.  CG by HAR
2.  BAJFF by RH
3.  L,L,C by BW
4.  WTWTA by MS
5.  OBAG by PR
6.  M by LB
7.  FNATPP by JO’C
8.  MWFD by RM
9.  PP by SLH
10.  MMAHSS by VLB
11.  HTDD by GZ
12.  AATT,H,NG,VBD by JV
13.  TPE by CVA
14.  TVHC by EC
15.  TRF by MP
16.  TSOF by ML
17.  LPPP by KH

(P.S.  It’s nearly 10:30 – time for The Writer’s Club – so grab your coffee and come on over and say what’s on your mind this morning!  I’m thinking about PLOT – and how hard it is!)

Contest Contest

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My poor little contest from last Wednesday is suffering an inferiority complex.

Here’s how a contest works, my friends.  You have to ENTER!

Thus far (and today being the original deadline), only 2 brave souls have ventured entries – not enough for a contest.  And so my little contest feels sad and unloved 😦 and is threatening to sulk and possibly gnaw the furniture.

I find myself wondering, do you, my faithful readers, not like contests? or was the prize not motivating enough? or was it the wrong kind of contest?

Please share your thoughts!  I want the contests to be fun!

In case you haven’t figured it out yet, I have a bit of a competitive streak.  I myself cannot resist contests, games, or challenges of most kinds (although if anyone challenged me to join a Polar Bear Club – you know, the kind where you cut a hole in the ice on New Year’s Day and take a swim? – I would turn that down no problem!)

Because I like contests, I am announcing a NEW CONTEST – a contest contest if you will:  submit ideas for contests you think would be fun and prizes you think would be motivating.  Whoever wins, we’ll use your ideas and I will credit you by adding your name to the contest title (e.g. Mary’s Famous Character Contest)!

Meanwhile, I will extend the deadline of the original contest (see post from December 8) through Sunday Dec. 19.  If I wait any longer than that, the winner won’t get their prize in time for the holidays.  Please brighten my sad little contest’s day by submitting at least a few more entries.  You can think of it as your daily contribution of holiday cheer!

Looking forward to your ideas!

A Little Fun… and a Contest!

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Are you singing those stuck-in-the-middle-of-the-work-week blues?


Never fear!  FUN is here!


First, for our writing audience, A Writing Prompt in case you’re stuck in more than just the middle of the week!
In deference to yesterday’s discussion of pioneer life:)  Electricity is a recent discovery.  Think of 10 things to do when there’s no power.  Now, use them all or pick just one or two, whatever blows your hair back, and write a story or a poem!


Next, for our teaching/parenting audience, A Fun Activity.  Print the Punxsutawney Phyllis and/or Uncle Phil paper doll kits from my website.
http://www.susannahill.com/resources_files/PhyllisPaperDoll2.pdf   and
https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B1IHqaWYE9OqMDk1N2VlMzYtMmJiNS00MGZlLTk5MjctYjFiNDU4NTVjMGZj&hl=en
Help your students/children color them in holiday-themed ways, cut them out, hang them on red, green, silver or gold ribbon, and use them to decorate your classroom/home/xmas tree etc.  For further fun, make up a holiday story for Phyllis!


Finally, for all audiences, A Contest!  Submit an idea for the tagline for this blog (it currently says “author of many books for children… with more to come” but that’s what my website says – I want something different and fun!)  Submit your ideas in the comments section.  You may submit as many as you like.  If I choose yours, you win!  If none of them suit me, we’ll have a vote on which one blog readers think is best, and that will be the winner (although in that case, I might not use it.)  Three requirements: 1. to be eligible to win, you must be a follower of this blog (anyone can vote if we come to that) 2. Entries must be submitted by Wednesday December 15 (one week from today) and 3. I must receive at least 10 entries.  The prize for the winner will be a personalized signed copy of whichever of my books they would like in time to give as a holiday gift if you so choose 🙂


Now, isn’t your Wednesday looking up?  Have a great day!