May 1, 2010 marks the beginning of the 2nd annual NaPiBoWriWee Challenge.
I'm ready, I think. How about you?
Be sure to read Paula Yoo's inspirational blog: http://paulayoo.com/content/napibowriwee-2010-final-inspirational-blog-30-fri-43010
Feel free to drop me a comnment and let me know how things are going.
Have fun and good luck!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Non-fiction Picture Book. Yikes!
This year for NaPiBoWriWee I am going to attempt to do something I have never done before - Write a non-fiction picture book. Yikes!
Just saying it out loud makes me want to run the other way. I don't know where to begin.
Well, I guess first I need to decided what the non-fiction picture book is going to be about. In this case it is who it is going to be about. I have two personalities I would like to write about who I have a connection to.
Next, I need to search the Internet and see if it's 'been done.' Even if it has 'been done' I need to decide if I can put a different spin on the book or if I should abandon the idea altogether. Fortunately, before I got too far into this I did a quick search on Amazon and discover one of my ideas has 'been done' and maybe even 'over done.' There appears to be at least 72 children's books about Buffalo Bill Cody (I wanted to write about him because I'm somehow related to him.) My other idea seems to be fresh. And, while searching, I came up with another personality I could write about so I'm jotting it down for later.
Ok, now, I will need to do a little research to get the facts. I hope this week I can find time to get the facts because NaPiBoWriWee starts next week!!
I also plan to search the site of my author friend Paula Yoo http://paulayoo.com/ (founder of NaPiBoWriWee) She has written two non-fiction picture books: SHINING STAR: THE ANNA MAY WONG STORY and Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds - The Sammy Lee Story. Her site has a forum area where she (and other authors) will answer your questions.
As I learn more about writing a non-fiction picture book I will share it with you here.
Just saying it out loud makes me want to run the other way. I don't know where to begin.
Well, I guess first I need to decided what the non-fiction picture book is going to be about. In this case it is who it is going to be about. I have two personalities I would like to write about who I have a connection to.
Next, I need to search the Internet and see if it's 'been done.' Even if it has 'been done' I need to decide if I can put a different spin on the book or if I should abandon the idea altogether. Fortunately, before I got too far into this I did a quick search on Amazon and discover one of my ideas has 'been done' and maybe even 'over done.' There appears to be at least 72 children's books about Buffalo Bill Cody (I wanted to write about him because I'm somehow related to him.) My other idea seems to be fresh. And, while searching, I came up with another personality I could write about so I'm jotting it down for later.
Ok, now, I will need to do a little research to get the facts. I hope this week I can find time to get the facts because NaPiBoWriWee starts next week!!
I also plan to search the site of my author friend Paula Yoo http://paulayoo.com/ (founder of NaPiBoWriWee) She has written two non-fiction picture books: SHINING STAR: THE ANNA MAY WONG STORY and Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds - The Sammy Lee Story. Her site has a forum area where she (and other authors) will answer your questions.
As I learn more about writing a non-fiction picture book I will share it with you here.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
A Video You and Your Kids Will Love
This video was made by my friend, Joe, and his two girls, Serra (7) and Amara (4). I should also mention the music is by DnR a band my friend, Joe, is a member of.
I think the Ollie the Otter was the funniest part. (Sorry I called you a gopher before, Ollie)
I think the Ollie the Otter was the funniest part. (Sorry I called you a gopher before, Ollie)
Sunday, April 11, 2010
It's coming. Are You Ready?
I participated last year, enjoyed it and plan to take the challenge again. It's the 2nd annual NaPiBoWriWee hosted by Paula Yoo. (National Picture Book Writing Week) May 1, 2010 - May 7, 2010
The goal: Try to write 7 picture book manuscripts (rough drafts) in 7 days!
Insane? I know!
The concept is to get those ideas out of your head and on paper and to write every day. The story must have a beginning, a middle and an end. I know what you're thinking, "There's no way I can do that!" or "I don't have time." I thought that too last year but somehow I managed. There were days when I barely got a sentence out and then on another day I would complete 2 manuscripts.
Even if you only got one manuscript done as long as your try and write every day for that week. Do that and, congratulations, you won!
Last year I was on a maternity leave from my full time job but I was busy and sleep deprived. This year I'm still busy with my family (they're always first), still sleep deprived AND I'm back at my full time job. So, this should be interesting on how I fit it in and try to blog about it along the way.
Ok, full NaPiBoWriWee details can be found on Paula's site at http://www.paulayoo.com/content/natl-picture-book-writing-week-napibowriwee-2010-may-1-7-2010
Check back here to follow along with me on my NaPiBoWriWee progress.
Paula is also writing Inspirational NaPiBoWriWee Blog posts from now until May 1st.
Paula Yoo is author of Good Enough (HarperCollins), Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story (illustrated by Dom Lee, published by Lee & Low Books in 2003) and Shooting Star: The Anna May Wong Story (illustrated by Lin Wang, published by Lee & Low Books.) Read more about Paula at http://paulayoo.com/bio
The goal: Try to write 7 picture book manuscripts (rough drafts) in 7 days!
Insane? I know!
The concept is to get those ideas out of your head and on paper and to write every day. The story must have a beginning, a middle and an end. I know what you're thinking, "There's no way I can do that!" or "I don't have time." I thought that too last year but somehow I managed. There were days when I barely got a sentence out and then on another day I would complete 2 manuscripts.
Even if you only got one manuscript done as long as your try and write every day for that week. Do that and, congratulations, you won!
Last year I was on a maternity leave from my full time job but I was busy and sleep deprived. This year I'm still busy with my family (they're always first), still sleep deprived AND I'm back at my full time job. So, this should be interesting on how I fit it in and try to blog about it along the way.
Ok, full NaPiBoWriWee details can be found on Paula's site at http://www.paulayoo.com/content/natl-picture-book-writing-week-napibowriwee-2010-may-1-7-2010
Check back here to follow along with me on my NaPiBoWriWee progress.
Paula is also writing Inspirational NaPiBoWriWee Blog posts from now until May 1st.
Paula Yoo is author of Good Enough (HarperCollins), Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story (illustrated by Dom Lee, published by Lee & Low Books in 2003) and Shooting Star: The Anna May Wong Story (illustrated by Lin Wang, published by Lee & Low Books.) Read more about Paula at http://paulayoo.com/bio
Monday, March 29, 2010
$$ = Eco Savvy = Coolness
I don't mind helping my son with a fund raiser if the product is a good one and is not too expensive. Chocolate is usually one of those items that sell quickly in my workplace, with me buying the first box or two (or three.) You can imagine my disappointment when last fall he brought home a fund raiser for some exspensive environmental items. Now, don't get me wrong, I want to help the environment just as much as the next person, and I do, but exspensive items are difficult to sell plus it's not chocolate. :( I didn't take the order form to work and now I am regretting it. Why? I didn't want my son to feel bad so I bought something from him that I could use that wasn't too exspensive and now my coworkers ask me about it all the time.
For $20 I puchased the Plantable Eco Calendar. It was a 2010 desktop calendar infused with wildflower seeds and made with 100% post cosumer waste content.
I didn't realize how cool this was until I actually planted some of the pages.
I guess I was doubting if it was going to work but about 2 days after planting and watering the pages in soil I spotted the 1st little sprout.
Now, in my office, three pots(January, February and the title page) hold many little sprouts reaching for the light.
People come into the office and ask about the calendar and the plants, usually reacting with a "Cool!" I can't wait until the plants actually flower.
If my son has this fund raiser again I will be sure to bring the form into work.
For $20 I puchased the Plantable Eco Calendar. It was a 2010 desktop calendar infused with wildflower seeds and made with 100% post cosumer waste content.
I didn't realize how cool this was until I actually planted some of the pages.
I guess I was doubting if it was going to work but about 2 days after planting and watering the pages in soil I spotted the 1st little sprout.
Now, in my office, three pots(January, February and the title page) hold many little sprouts reaching for the light.
People come into the office and ask about the calendar and the plants, usually reacting with a "Cool!" I can't wait until the plants actually flower.
If my son has this fund raiser again I will be sure to bring the form into work.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Book Trailer: SCARS by Cheryl Rainfield
Available March 24, 2010. http://cherylrainfield.com
A portion of the sales of SCARS will go to RAINN and the Toronto Rape Crisis Center.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
More Than One Way To Make A Difference
I'm very pleased with myself. Yesterday, I submitted forms to participate in a Habitat For Humanity project.
Photo by Suat Eman
I would have liked to participate in the actual build/construction part of the project but there are a few things preventing from doing that this year. What I didn't realize is there are so many other areas where help is needed to make a build successful and fortunetly I have skills in some of these areas. I have volunteered to participate in the newsletter, project website and the project promotion. I have done a lot of work on newsletters (Duh, I'm a writer and I was the editor of the Perspectives Newsletter) and websites, so I am hoping I will be called upon to help develop these areas. I'm not too sure what will be involved with the project promotion but I'm interested in learning.
I'm very excited to help make a difference and can't wait to get started. If/when I get contacted to participate I will be posting here and add the label "Habitat For Humanity."
Photo by Suat Eman
I would have liked to participate in the actual build/construction part of the project but there are a few things preventing from doing that this year. What I didn't realize is there are so many other areas where help is needed to make a build successful and fortunetly I have skills in some of these areas. I have volunteered to participate in the newsletter, project website and the project promotion. I have done a lot of work on newsletters (Duh, I'm a writer and I was the editor of the Perspectives Newsletter) and websites, so I am hoping I will be called upon to help develop these areas. I'm not too sure what will be involved with the project promotion but I'm interested in learning.
I'm very excited to help make a difference and can't wait to get started. If/when I get contacted to participate I will be posting here and add the label "Habitat For Humanity."
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