Category: writing life

The Bright Side

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If you’ve noticed a drop in posting frequency lately it’s because the last couple weeks have been professionally challenging on pretty much every level.  Were I to post on that, I’m afraid it would amount to whining which would not make for entertaining or enlightening reading!, so I have elected to spare you 🙂  You may thank me with donations of chocolate 🙂

Anyone who writes will tell you the writing life has its ups and downs.  I feel it’s important to look on the bright side, especially when discouragement is rearing its ugly head.  So here are 2 bright sides, and they are very bright 🙂  First, I got a lovely thank you note from a school I visited.  That was very nice.

And second, Beer is zo moe! is printing – very exciting!  Check it out:

Nicole, the talented illustrator, overseeing color with the editor, Bert Veltman

A sheet of covers!

So, there.  To discouragement I say, “Begone!”

And to myself I say, “Butt in chair.”  Didn’t someone say something along the lines of 99% of success in writing is just showing up?

“Courage doesn’t always roar.  Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.” ~ Mary Anne Radmacher

Beer is Zo Moe!

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No, we’re not starting the morning off with questionable beverages!  This is about a picture book 🙂

Or it will be, as soon as a little business is out of the way.  I have to start by confessing to my lie.  It was actually kind of a double lie: although I don’t eat a lot of meat, I am not a vegetarian, and although I will do it when occasion dictates, I do not enjoy public speaking of any kind, not just about vegetarianism 🙂  Congrats to those who guessed!

So, about that picture book….

Although blond hair and blue eyes may be a tip-off to my Friesian heritage, I do not, in fact, speak Dutch.  So it may come as a surprise that I’m going to have a book published in The Netherlands this coming spring – in Dutch!  And it’s not a book that was originally published in English and translated.  It’s a first edition.  The title is Beer is Zo Moe! (or, for our English speaking audience, Bear Is So Tired!) and it is due out in May 2011 from Veltman Uitgevers.

How, you may ask, did I pull this one off?  Well, I’ll tell you…

Nicole Rutten, the exceptionally talented illustrator of Not Yet Rose, was invited by a Dutch publisher who admired her work to submit a book.  It had to have both story and art, however, and she does not write.  So she asked me if I could provide the story.  I did, she translated it into Dutch, the publisher loved it, and the rest is history – or, maybe history-in-the-making since the book isn’t actually out yet.

Putting a picture book together is a surprisingly long process.  (Those of you who write picture books already know this!)  I have had manuscripts sit on an editor’s desk for as long as two years before she decides if she wants it or not.  Once the decision is made, you’re still looking at anywhere from a year and half (if everything goes smoothly) to upwards of 4 years before your book is actually available for purchase.

Beer is Zo Moe! has actually come along very quickly.  From submission to publication (assuming it’s released on time) it will have taken just about a year.  We are currently deciding on a cover.  This is the one we probably won’t use, but it’s fun to see anyway:

Want to see some more?  Well, okay.  You’ve twisted my arm 🙂  One more…

How cute is Little Bear?!
The story includes back matter about bears – The Bear Facts 🙂 – so it has a useful educational component as well!
So how fun it that I can’t read my own story?  It’s pretty entertaining to try, though 🙂  Need a little amusement to break up your work day?  Try clicking on the bottom photo so it enlarges and see if you can read the story aloud!  Let me know how you make out!

How About A Writing Course?

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Before we get involved in other things, let me take a second to remind you that the contest to win a signed copy of PENNY LOVES PINK is still open.  Please scroll down, read Cori’s interview, and enter to win if you’re interested.  You have until tomorrow (Friday Feb. 18) at 9 AM EST to enter, and it’s a prize definitely worth winning!

Now…

I don’t know about you, but I generally feel I need all the help I can get 🙂

When I go on school visits, and even teach writing workshops to kids, I always tell them that writing is a process.  Nobody gets it right the first time.  Revising and editing are part of the game.

Learning to write is also a process.  I’m sure there are lots of people out there who are truly masters of the craft, but I don’t feel like I’m one of them just yet.  Although I have a number of books published, I still feel like I’m learning.  My writing can always get better.

Whether you’re published already or not, if you feel like you have things to learn, or areas you could improve on, one great option is a writing course.

There are lots of them out there.  I can personally speak for those offered by the Institute of Children’s Literature and Jordan Rosenfeld, both of which are available online.

If you’d like something more “real” (i.e. an actual physical class that you go to and see other people!) I can also highly recommend The ABCs of Writing or Children.  Here’s the info if you’re interested:

The ABCs of Writing for Children will be offered again at Merritt
Bookstore, Front Street, Millbrook, NY, on Tuesday afternoons from 1 – 3
p.m.

Class will meet once a week for 6 weeks
Dates: April 5, April 12, (skipping April 19), April 26, May 3, May 10,
May 17


CLASS INSTRUCTORS:
Karen Kaufman Orloff – ex-magazine editor and author of four picture books
(I WANNA IGUANA, I WANNA NEW ROOM, IF MOM HAD THREE ARMS, TALK, OSCAR,
PLEASE!) and a regular columnist for “The Poughkeepsie Journal”

Della Ross Ferreri: Author of two picture books (STAR OF THE SHOW, HOW
WILL I EVER SLEEP IN THIS BED?), and two beginning readers (PICNIC ON THE
SIDEWALK, HEY! YOU’RE EATING MY HOMEWORK!) plus numerous poems/articles in
children’s magazines

Class will cover:

• How to get ideas
• How to structure a story
• Writing in different genres, including rhyme
• Creating great characters
• First drafts and re-writing
• Writing effective query letters
• Submitting to publishers

In addition, there will be:

• Manuscript critiques
• In-class writing exercises
• Ample Q & A time

CLASS FEE: $150
Small, intimate class setting. Informal atmosphere.

NOTE: YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE AN ILLUSTRATOR TO WRITE CHILDREN”S BOOKS!

For more information, contact Karen (orloff@bestweb.net/ 845-896-8038)

The only drawback with Karen and Della’s class is that you have to live within driving distance of Millbrook, NY (or have a private jet – but I’m thinking most of us aren’t quite there yet :))

Have any of you taken courses?  If so, please share them and tell us how your experience was and whether you’d recommend them!

Think Pink! Meet Cori Doerrfeld – Part 2

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As if yesterday wasn’t exciting enough, today there’s more!  Read on for the rest of Cori’s interview, and then… wait for it… a CONTEST!!!  You could win a free signed copy of Cori’s new picture book PENNY LOVES PINK!

So, onward…

SLH:  PENNY LOVES PINK, your most recent title, is the first book you have both written and illustrated.  Was the process different for you?  Easier?  Harder?  What gave you the idea for the story?

CD:  PENNY LOVES PINK, will be the first book that I have both written and illustrated.  It was definitely different for me than other projects, and more difficult.  The main reason was because I cared so much about every detail, since my name was the only one appearing on the book.  It was also more personal when editors suggested big changes or wanted to tone down certain elements.  There were times when I wondered whose book it really was.  In the end however, the publisher has been so supportive and truly wants only the best for me as an illustrator and author.  I originally wrote the book in 2005.  I was working at a daycare, and I could  not believe how self-absorbed the two year olds could be.  Some of them literally lived in their own worlds, where the color of a shirt, or a certain stuffed animal decided the fate of the world.  The original book was called, Leah Loves Pink, inspired by a real little girl who would not potty train unless her toilet was pink.


SLH:  What are you working on now?  Do you have manuscripts out for consideration?

CD:  Right now I am currently working on new ideas for books. I have one book out for consideration, a dummy in progress, and a few ideas just simmering in my mind.  I will say that this stage is the most difficult for me.  It takes a lot of focus and energy to actually sit and take a blip of an idea to a fully formed dummy with sketches.  I also get distracted easily when a new idea occurs to me…it is hard to find time to work on them all!


SLH:  What are your inspirations?  Most difficult obstacles?

CD:  The majority of my inspiration comes from the kids I have known and cared for.  I was a toddler teacher and a nanny for several years.  It was always fun to see what ideas the kids really responded to, and of course to hear all the wacky little ideas and sayings they had themselves.  My own daughter is quite the inspiration at times.  She gave me one idea that I hope to get into dummy form sometime soon.  Other than that, there are the people who inspired me as a child, Jim Henson, Tim Burton, Chuck Jones, Bill Peet, Don Bluth, and the countless animators at both Warner Brothers and Disney. I spent a good part of my childhood wanting to be an animator, and animated films still influence and inspire me today.  As far as obstacles go, time is my greatest enemy.  I sometimes feel if I just had a tiny bit more time in each day, I could truly develop a masterpiece.


SLH:  Do you attend writers or illustrators conferences?  Enter writing contests?

CD:  I have never attended any conferences.  I really should find out how to become a part of my local illustrator/writing community.  I do have one friend who I meet with on a regular basis to brainstorm and share ideas.  And I once had the amazing pleasure to meet with some local greats including Caldecott Award winner, Stephen Gammell, and best selling illustrator, Derek Anderson.  The birth of my daughter prevented me from going to the next group meeting…and I never got back in touch with them.  The only contest I ever entered was to be the artist for The Minnesota State Fair Commemorative poster.  I didn’t win this year, but someday I hope to make that poster.  I love our state fair!  


SLH:  (Hang on – this one has a lot of questions in it!)  What has been your best selling book so far?  Which book’s sales (if any) did not do as well as expected?  Why do you think that might have been?  Were you surprised by one book’s success over another’s?  Have all your titles earned out?  Are they all still in print?  Have sales affected publishers’ willingness to do further projects in a good or bad way?  (WHEW!)

CD:  This question is difficult to answer.  First off let me explain that the majority of my books were done under a work for hire contract, and therefore I earn no royalties whatsoever on those titles.  I currently have four books still on the market trying to earn royalties, and two more on the way.  The Brooke Shields books sold well enough I suppose, but I have been disappointed in the overall sales of the two books.  I earned one royalty check with the first, and nothing on the second.  The first book, Welcome to Your World, Baby! was picked up by a Korean publisher, so that has given me a little bit of hope.  Penny Loves Pink has only been out a month, and I honestly have no idea how well it is selling. I have been very nervous about the over-saturation of pink themed books, and worry that it will ultimately effect sales.  I think how well Penny does will influence whether or not Little Brown wants to do another book with me.  I am still waiting for my best seller.  It is definitely something I’d like to achieve, for my career and my bank account!


SLH:  Are you available for school visits?  What is your preferred age range and group size?  Do you have materials available for teachers and/or parents that go along with your books?

CD:  I  am available for school visits.  I taught preschool for many years, and I have also spoken to college level illustration classes.  I do prefer to either talk with young kids, the age group my books are created for, or college level kids who are interested in pursuing a career in art.  I would however be happy to speak to any class.  When I speak, I try to bring along sketches, proofs from the book, and fun examples of my art to help show my process.  I am also happy to prepare a project for the class, such as generating a story idea, or making a pink monster.  This can be done while I am visiting the class, or whenever the teacher has time.  


SLH:  What is your website, FB fan page, blog, twitter?

CD:  My website badly needs to be updated, but for now it’s what I’ve got.  Please find me at www.coridoerrfeld.com and on Facebook as Cori Doerrfeld.  One of my other goals is to make more of an online presence, so hopefully I’ll soon have a new website with a blog as well.

SLH:  Do you have any advice for beginning authors, illustrators or author/illustrators?

CD:  I truly feel that I myself am still beginning.  I know for me the biggest shock upon getting my first book, is how quickly you are expected to work.  I have typically had three to four months to complete an entire book from start to finish.  That includes sketches, revisions, finished art, and revised finished art.  It can be grueling at times, but ultimately it is worth it to have a job you love.  I would also say that you should truly just create what you enjoy.  Don’t try to force an idea or painting.  Think of things that inspire you, that make you happy, and go from there.   You do need a bit of a tough skin, especially if your work is published.  Editors will want to change things, critics won’t like you, and sometimes you have no money.  But I will say that there is nothing more satisfying than seeing your ideas in print.  


Thank you so much, Cori.  I have really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on all of this.  Thank you for sharing your experiences so generously.

And now…. the moment you’ve all been waiting for… THE CONTEST and your chance to win an awesome prize!!!

Here’s what you have to do:

1.  Be a follower of this blog (bonus entry if you get someone else to follow the blog and tell me who it is :))
2.  Leave a comment telling why you would like to win PENNY LOVES PINK (or for whom) and listing your 5 favorite pink things!
3.  Make sure to leave your comment by Friday February 18, 9 AM EST because the winner will be announced on Friday’s blog post!

That’s it!  That’s all you have to do.  Although, if you’d like to also share your thoughts on how awesome Cori is, or how much you love this blog and can’t wait to read it every day, feel free to gush 🙂

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!


Happy Valentines Day!

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Happy Valentines Day, Everyone!

I hope you all have someone to celebrate love in your life with, whether a spouse/significant other or a feisty groundhog (Phyllis will find a way to get mentioned as often as possible!)  I also hope that you will have the opportunity to over-indulge in chocolate today because really, why not 🙂

Since Valentines Day is about love, I thought I’d take a moment to mention a few of the things I love about being a children’s writer.

I love that it has let me stay home with my children.

I love that it’s creative – every day brings something new.

I love that it offers me the chance to visit schools, share my passion for writing, and meet the people I write for.

I love being part of the writing community – so many interesting, talented, creative, wonderful people!

And I love sharing the writing experience in the blogosphere, and look forward to hearing your thoughts on writing, parenting, teaching, and the world of children’s literature each day.

Here a few Valentines children’s picture books I love (for your enjoyment if you haven’t read them yet!):

The Ballad of Valentine by Alison Jackson
Slugs In Love by Susan Pearson
Love, Ruby Valentine by Laurie Friedman
Love, Splat by Rob Scotten
Henry In Love by Peter McCarty (not, strictly speaking, a Valentine book, but so cute!)

But wait a minute!  What’s this?

Who is that handsome stranger?
And what is he doing with Phyllis?

Do you think Phyllis has a secret admirer???  We’ll have to keep an eye on that situation…!

Have a wonderful Valentines Day everyone! and please join in the comments with your favorite Valentines books, groundhog love stories, or anything else that tickles your fancy on this love-ly day 🙂  Oh, and in keeping with the pink theme of the week, don’t forget our Meet Cori Doerffeld post coming up in the next couple of days, with an opportunity to win her new picture book, PENNY LOVES PINK!

Writer’s Platform Building Crusade!

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Writers, as a group, are an amazing bunch.

They are always coming up with creative ideas.  They are generous about sharing their ideas, which makes the writing community a great one to belong to.

Rachael Harrie over at Rach Writes had a wonderful idea for linking writers together.  She calls it the Writer’s Platform Building Crusade, and this is its second year.  It’s a way for writer’s to support each other – helping others and helping themselves at the same time.

Let’s face it, writing is a tough business, especially now.  As Rachael rightly points out, we can all use a little support 🙂  If you’re interested in being part of the Crusade, here’s the link:

Writer’s Platform Building Crusade

I hope you’ll join in.  I’m really looking forward to meeting other writers and reading their blogs.

And now, an update on the Picture Book Marathon….

I got off to a good start on days one and two, but have fallen behind – a bit too much going on! (although luckily there was a lot of birthday cake involved :))  I’m going to do my best to catch up this week, though!  Wish me luck and send inspiration my way 🙂

And don’t forget – guest post with Karen Orloff coming up, probably tomorrow or Wednesday!  Get ready to enter a contest for a free signed copy of her latest book, I WANNA NEW ROOM!

OK.  Enough chit-chat.  Time to get to work!!!

Am I Doing This Write? (Or, Writers Must Be Part Rhino)

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I’m working a little harder than usual for upbeat this morning, but it’s a tough morning that starts with three rejections.  I may need some cake 🙂

There must be something in the air today, though, because over at The Write-At-Home-Mom, Megan was posting about rejection, too, (much more eloquently than I am, I might add!) and how you have to keep your perspective.  (She’s so right, but there are days when it’s so hard!  Hmmm… Should I have blueberry, spice, or devil’s food for breakfast…?)

Rejection is part of being a writer.  We all know that.  It is why we must be part rhino, so that those wounding arrows let fly by agents, editors and reviewers will bounce off without bringing us to our knees.  If you’re going to put your work out there for the world to see, some people will like it, and some won’t – there’s just no getting around it.  (Maybe blueberry.  That’s part fruit, and therefore healthful…)

self portrait

Rather than let this latest set-back ruin my day, however, I thought, maybe I can use it to brighten yours!  After you’ve read a few of my rejection letters, perhaps you’ll feel better about your own 🙂

So here you go, a little sample, a smattering, a smorgasbord, if you will, to boost your morale and remind you that you’re not alone in rejection!  Have you ever gotten any of these?

The Basic Form Rejection:
Dear Writer,
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to consider your manuscript.  While we have enjoyed reviewing your work, I am afraid it is not quite right for our program.
Sincerely, The Editorial Department

The Multiple Choice Rejection: (please check all that apply)
Dear Author,
Many thanks for your submission.  Unfortunately, this one didn’t work for us.
___ It’s not suited to our present needs
___ It’s language or concept is too mature for our audience
___ We seldom buy rhyming picture books
___ It needs more character/plot development
___ We have a very limited non-fiction line
Sincerely, The Editors

The Personal Rejections:
Dear Ms. Hill,
Although this is a lovely, simple text that would be easy for kids to read, the word choice is predictable and banal and the story line feels thin for the length.
Sincerely, The Editor

Dear Ms. Hill,
Your story has a wonderfully inventive ending, but the overarching conflict didn’t capture my imagination as successfully as the resolution did.
Sincerely, The Editor

Dear Ms. Hill,
… the message was too heavy-handed…
… it’s too didactic…
… it’s too long… too short… too familiar… too bizarre… too… too… too…
… although your manuscript is charming/funny/engaging/sweet, ultimately it’s not strong enough for today’s market.
Sincerely, Editor after Editor after Editor

Hmmph!  Somehow the term “overarching conflict” seems a little “heavy-handed” for a picture book 🙂

Even if you get published, you’re not immune to rejection.  There are professional reviewers (who may say things like, “…this sometimes challenging story may baffle new readers…”), and then there are amateur reviewers (see Library Thing, GoodReads, Amazon, or lots of others!)  One person on Library Thing said about No Sword Fighting In The House (and I quote exactly) “Gosh, this such an awful book,” and another on GoodReads called Freight Train Trip “bizarre” and didn’t understand “the undercurrent of mortal peril.”  Really?  In a board book, that’s what she found?

So now, I hope you’re all chuckling and patting yourselves on the back because your rejections haven’t been this bad!

Anyone who wants to brighten my day in return can comment with rejection tales of their own 🙂

Have a great weekend.  I’m going to get some cake.  And to heck with a healthy breakfast.  Devil’s food it is!

Chocolate – it’s what’s for breakfast 🙂

Procrastination Station

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It is -12 degrees this morning.  Seriously.  I am not making this up.

When my husband got to the train station it was -15!

I suppose if you live in South Dakota or Minnesota, that’s no big deal, but around here, that’s pretty darn cold!

Even the dogs have decided that discretion is the better part of valor and are doing squirrel patrol from inside the house 🙂  Not the most calm or quiet pastime, I might add…

By noon, our esteemed weather forecasters predict it will be up to a whopping 10, at which point the dogs and I will be able to brave an outing.  In the meantime, it’s a perfect time to write.

Except I suddenly feel a mad urge to vacuum.  And there’s laundry to fold.  And I could certainly unload the dishwasher.  And when was the last time I cleaned out my closet?  Or polished the silver?  And maybe I should take a toothbrush to the tile grout in the bathroom….

Which brings me to today’s topic:

Procrastination: (v) to put off, defer, or delay action until a later time…

Procrastination, I am your queen!

But apparently I am not the only writer who feels this way.  In just the past few days, fellow author bloggers have mentioned the same problem (see Nancie’s thoughts) and offered advice on how to make better use of your time (see Novel Journey)  And a writer friend of mine mentioned that she gets her work done thanks to Macfreedom, which allows you to turn off your WiFi for a preset amount of time (no more checking your inbox every 20 seconds or playing sporcle!!!)  It seems many writers suffer from this problem.

And there’s a good reason.  Writing is hard!

Gene Fowler said, “Writing is easy: All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead,” and Walter Wellesley Smith said, “There’s nothing to writing.  All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein.”  A.A. Milne, whom I’ve quoted before, said, “I know of no work manual or mental to equal the appalling heart-breaking anguish of fetching an idea from nowhere.”

So if you’re a writer, and a procrastinator, not only are you not alone, you’re in very good company 🙂  And I think it’s always nice to know you’ve got company – that others struggle with the same things you do and understand the difficulties.

But I’ve discovered a curious thing.  I can’t not write for very long.  If I start vacuuming or unloading the dishwasher, one of those tasks where the hands are busy but the mind is free, I often find that I suddenly have a lot of ideas and need to write them down immediately.  Which explains why my house tends to be half-vacuumed, the laundry is folded but not put away, and (who are we kidding) the tile grout in the bathroom has not been scrubbed by toothbrush since we moved in 🙂

Maybe it’s backwards procrastination…  I procrastinate from writing by doing chores, and I procrastinate from doing chores by writing!  See?  I told you…

Procrastination, I am your queen!

Writing is hard.  But we love it anyway.  We’re writers, so we have to write, and no matter how much we procrastinate, we’ll get to it eventually.  In the meantime, take comfort in the fact that we’re all in it together 🙂

How do you procrastinate (maybe by reading this blog… :)) and what do you do to get yourself back in gear?  Share with your fellows in procrastination!

Happiness Is… A Fan!

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It’s official.  I have a fan!  Possibly two!

I know.  I can’t believe it either!

Here’s what happened.

A few days ago, I got an actual article of fan mail which said (and I quote) “I LOVE your blog!”  Imagine that!  She loves my blog!  Way to make my day!

But it gets even better (I know.  The mind reels.)

Yesterday, in the same week (what are the odds) I made a phone call, and when I identified myself, the person who answered said, “Susanna Hill, as in Punxsutawney Phyllis?”

WOW!  That never happened before!  (And the fact that the person turned out to be the husband of a teacher whose wonderful preschool I have visited many times, and who was therefore more likely than many to have heard of me, did not detract in any way from that moment of heartwarming happiness at being recognized by association with one of my books!)

This brings me to an interesting point, though.  Writers of picture books do not have the same opportunities for interacting with their readers as writers of MG and YA books do.  This is not necessarily because picture books touch their audience less deeply.  It probably has more to do with the fact that most 4 year olds are more interested in playing in the sandbox than writing fan mail 🙂  The picture book set is not widely known for visiting websites or reading and commenting on blogs 🙂

But this means that, unless an adult who reads to them is unusually motivated, enough to find time in an already over-scheduled day to write a note, you’re not likely to hear… anything. In fact, one of the reasons I started this blog was precisely to encourage more of that interaction between writers and the children, parents, teachers, and librarians we write for.  We want to know what you think.  What do you like?  What do you look for?  What can we do better?

When your picture book is first published, if you’re lucky, you’ll get a few nice words from one of the big reviewers.  After that, it kind of drops into the void.  Days go by.  Amazon rankings take one step forward and two steps back.  Pinkaliscious sells a bajillion copies and your book waits wistfully, hoping someone will pick it.  Publishers only send statements twice a year, so that leaves A LOT of days to wonder whether anyone is even reading your book, never mind whether they like it.  When the statements do arrive, in this economy, sales can be disappointing.  It’s hard to remember that the sales figures are not necessarily a reflection of your book’s worth (although they may be.)  There is no way to measure how many times your book is read in schools, or how frequently it is checked out of public libraries, or whether, somewhere, a child asks for it over and over and over again.  People might be reading (and liking) your book… or they might not.  There is a lot of uncertainty involved in being a writer.

But that is exactly why the rare moments when someone takes the time to tell you that their son loves Freight Train Trip, or their daughter demands Can’t Sleep Without Sheep every night at bedtime, or you get invited to visit a school, or someone mentions that they love your blog or know who you are… that is why those moments are especially sweet.  They can carry us through a whole bunch of those uncertain days.

So when next uncertainty strikes (which will probably be in about 10 minutes) I shall martial positive thoughts.

I mean, after all, I have a fan!  Possibly even two 🙂