The HOW-TO of Mentor Text

There's been a surge for the use of mentor text in classrooms by students and teachers, and by writers. A few months ago Carrie Charlie Brown hosted an event that she created- Reading For Research Month (ReFoReMo) to help writers improve their craft.

I have to admit I've never really understood HOW to use mentor texts until I participated in ReFoReMo. If you'd like to learn about my methods of research, you can read about it on Carrie's blog.

I'm guest-posting today! 

Wordsmith Anniversary!

Happy 3rd Anniversary, Wordsmith Studio!

For those of you who don't know, Wordsmith Studio is a place where creative minds go to get inspired and keep their creative muse entertained and challenged. There is a veranda for fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and multi-media where you can hang out as you please. You can read more about their mission on their website at www.wordsmithstudio.org. 

I've been a member of Wordsmith Studio since its inception in 2012. It all started on April 1, 2012 when I discovered Robert Brewer's 30-day Platform Challenge on Twitter. Many of the participants decided to keep the momentum going with the friendships that were formed. This led to the creation of Wordsmith Studio.

Artwork created by Khara House

For Wordsmith's 3rd Anniversary, Wordsmith is holding a reunion via a blog hop. Some of us have moved on to do other things, while others remained; some active, others (like me) pop in and out. The reunion is a wonderful idea because we get to see what others have been up to. 

Here's the 411 on me with Q and A provided by Wordsmith:

What are you writing?
I write nonfiction for children and picture books. Robert Brewer's Platform challenge and the support of Wordsmith helped me get out of my comfort zone to explore the kidlit community through Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter (to name a few). I've met some wonderful people in the kidlit community. If you are a picture book writer or are considering it, here are the groups I belong to that provide valuable resources for picture book writers. 

Kidlit 411
Sub It Club
GROG


What are you currently working on?
I've got at least 10 work-in-progress picture books in various stages. Some are simmering (waiting to be looked at with fresh eyes), some are cooking (currently in editing/revising mode), and some are being plated (in preparation for submission).  

I also critique fellow picture book writer's works on a regular basis. I belong to three critique groups and critique a minimum of 6 picture book manuscripts a month. Joining a critique group is one of the most important things I've done as a writer. In my blog, I write about the value of critique groups. 

Aside from writing and critiquing, I am constantly reading! I read picture books, both nonfiction and fiction. You can find me on Goodreads. Feel free to stop by and see what I'm reading.


What's the biggest thing you've learned from your writing?
1) The more you write, the greater your chances of finding that gem that will lead you to a contract. It's a subjective business so the more stories you have, the better your odds at finding the love connection between agent/editor and your manuscript.

2) It's all about numbers. I learned that my latest story is almost always better than the last one I've written. How many times have you written a story only to re-read it after a few years (or even months) have passed only to say, "Oh, this isn't as good as I thought it was." So keep writing!

Have you made any lasting connections through Wordsmith? (I added this question)
I have to give a shout-out to the friends I've made through Wordsmith. They are all kind and generous people. The friends I've formed a special bond with are:

Lauri Meyers- my fellow picture book writer and Wonder Twin. We hang out in the same kidlit community, shop at the same kidlit stores, and have similar taste in books. She knows my inner most darkest secrets. Okay, not really. I don't have any secrets, but she knows how I think and how I write. She critiques me...in a good way.

Jennifer Chow- my Asian inspiration. I had the opportunity to meet up with Jennifer when she visited San Francisco. Jennifer, Amy, and I got together for lunch to get to know one another. Her award-winning novel, 228 LEGACY, inspired me to write a cultural nonfiction picture book.

Amy Pabalan- my close friend (yes, real close that we live only a few miles from each other) and adviser. We try to meet every so often to talk shop, talk about life in general, and get inspired. I feel so blessed to have met Amy through Wordsmith. She's my buddy, my home-away-from-home kinda gal. When I need a break from writing, we get together for tea (coffee for her).

Lori Sailiata- my Hawaiian sistah from anothah mistah! She lives on Oahu, where I'm from. I had the opportunity to meet Lori in person too when I went back home to Hawaii. She is the co-owner, content creator, and new media strategist at Hawaii Content Marketing. She and Amy have been so helpful and supportive when my e-Book came out. They introduced me to Twitterview. Lori is my go-to person for my author platform questions.




Wordsmith Studios- where connections are made. Thanks for stopping by!

Curious about what Wordsmith Studio has to offer? Want to see what other Wordsmith Studio members are up to? Then check out the link below.




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Reading for Research

If you want to write a picture book, the common advice is to immerse yourself in picture books and read, read, read!

I use Goodreads to keep track of the books I read. I average 180 books a year, but only a few stand out to me. Here are my favorites for 2014-2015:

These are the books that I connected with. I want to write a story that will become a favorite for readers. 

I want to write a story with characters that readers will think about long after they put down the book. 

I want to write a story that touches the heart of readers whether it tickles their funny bone or pull at their heartstrings, like what these books did for me!

Studying picture books such as these will make you write a better story. How? 

Reading for Research Month or ReFoReMo, the brainchild of Carrie Charley Brown! 

"The ReFoReMo challenge was founded to help picture book writers reform writing by reading and researching mentor texts. The challenge is supported by author-educators...It is necessary to read a wide variety of picture books to truly understand the form, the market, and the craft of writing them. The goal of ReFoReMo is to build reading background while learning how to use mentor texts." ~Carrie Charley Brown

It is a FREE online study group designed to help writers understand the structure of picture books and what makes a story stand out. They have a spectacular line-up of guest bloggers to assist writers in their research. I'm definitely going to take advantage of the wealth of knowledge offered by ReFoReMo.

Join me and together let's unlock the secrets to writing a great book! 

You can sign up for the Reading for Research Month Challenge here. 

Designed by Lori Nawyn

I'm a proud participant of ReFoReMo

Happy Research!

     
     

       
      

Crossing the PiBoIdMo Finish Line!

I did it!

I crossed the finish line!

My First Marathon- The 2006 Honolulu Marathon

No, not another marathon.

Better.

I completed Tara Lazar's annual PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Idea Month) with not 30, but 32 ideas!

Woot!

Winnah, winnah, SUSHI dinnah!

I love sushi. 

Coming up with ideas wasn't easy. I splashed in puddles, tumbled through a pile of leaves, and slid down slides, narrower than my hips to find my ideas.

What does it mean to cross the finish line? You can read about my first marathon and find out how that transformed me. But that's a different story.

Completing the PiBoIdMo challange means I belong to a select group of writers, armed with 30 ideas. But crossing the finish line doesn't end there. The real challenge is to transform the ideas into completed stories. 

Who is ready for the next challenge?

Squeezing Writing Into Summer

Squeezing writing into summer is like squeezing into a bathing suit.

It was that kind of summer. 

There wasn't enough hours in a day...

                    ....days in a week...

                                     ....weeks in a month...

                                                          .....and months in a summer.

There was    Work • baseball games • chauffeuring kids to various activities • family reunions • travels

But wait. There's more!

I managed to squeeze in some writing time too.

I enrolled in Mira Reisberg and Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen's The Craft and Pleasures of Writing Poetry for kids, participated in Sudipta and Kami Kinard's Kidlit Summer School, and signed up for Kristen Fulton's Nonfiction Archaeology class.

Enrolling in these classes kept me writing by helping me get into a routine. I  was forced learned to manage my time.  I didn't need to diet to squeeze my writing into my summer. All I had to do was loosen up the strings. I made time to write. I wrote whenever and wherever I could. It was the prescription I needed to keep my writing active and healthy.

Here is my review of each of the classes I've taken this summer:

From Storyteller to Exquisite Writer: The Pleasures and Craft of Poetic Techniques

This 5-week course is packed with information. It is perfect for beginner and seasoned writers. The course covered the basics of writing picture books and focused on rhyming and poetic techniques to make your story sing. The weekly webinars are perfect for questions and answers about writing in general. Mira also has a wonderful segment called Mondays with Mira in which she shares with you her favorite picture books and explains what makes it a great book. Included in the course are generous bonus materials which was a course in itself. 

The most valuable is the one-hour critique session you get from Mira and Sudipta. The critique groups formed within the class is optional, but I highly recommend it.

http://www.childrensbookacademy.com/

The online class costs a bit. If you don't have the funds, Mira has been generous in offering scholarships for her classes.

If you aren't able to enroll in the class, here are a few resources I highly recommend:

Rhyme Weaver by Lane Fredrickson

Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul

Word Magic for Writers by Cindy Rogers

Nerdy Chicks Kidlit Summer School 

Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and Kami Kinard are a dynamic duo! They put together a blog-based, four week writer's workshop that runs during the months of July and August. The daily blog posts are filled with writing advice and information on improving your craft that is written by various authors and writing professionals. Their faculty includes award-winning PB, MG, and YA authors.

http://nerdychickswrite.wordpress.com/

Their summer session will motivate you. Each day you are given homework that will inspire your own writing. This summer's focus was on character development, which I found to be extremely helpful. They also offer weekly webinars where Sudipta, Kami, and other guests answer your burning questions about the craft of writing.

I have to confess that I could not keep up with the homework and ended up dropping out mid-way. Okay, I admit it. I am a summer school drop out. Shhhh....don't tell.  Nevertheless, it is a worthwhile session and I enjoyed the camaraderie of the summer school group. It's just that half-way through, I was inspired to take a nonfiction class which I will review below. 

The best part of Kidlit Summer School? It's FREE! It can't get any better than that. 

Nonfiction Archaeology

This is a four week class that is offered monthly by author, Kristen Fulton. She hosts a weekly webiner and daily blog post. This class is still going on. I am three weeks into the class and have gained a wealth of information. I have to say that I am loving this class so much! I am in awe of Kristen's intelligence, writing, passion, and organization skills. I want to be her! 

http://www.kristenfulton.org/classes.html

The class is so organized in that the lessons are introduced in a sequential manner in which you would write a nonfiction picture book from beginning to end. So as you are taking the class, your are already on your way to writing and completing a nonfiction story. In the webinar, Kristen discusses the lessons for the week and the blog posts that follows reinforces everything that she's covered. I can't say enough about this course.

If you are thinking of writing a nonfiction picture book, I highly recommend Kristen's class. It is worth more than the price you pay for her class. Kristen is so generous in sharing her wealth of information and has gone over and beyond what I expected. 

*******

So there you have it. If you need to ignite your writing, consider taking a class or participating in a challenge offered by generous writers. Don't worry about squeezing writing into your summer. Make the summer fit into your writing! 

"Writing is like a vacation. I get to travel anywhere my imagination takes me" ~Romelle

Punxsutawney Phyllis Left Her Heart in San Francisco

San Francisco is buzzing with excitement!

• They are still basking in the glory of the Giants' 2 world Series wins
• The 49ers are playing in the Superbowl tomorrow

          and...

Punxsutawney Phyllis is in town!

About Punxsutawney Phyllis:
Phyllis is the star of two of her own children's picture books- Punxsutawney Phyllis and April Fool, Phyllis! She loves to "splash in the cold river in springtime, roast in the summer sun, and tromp through the winter snow."






Susanna Leonard Hill, her creator, sent Phyllis on a worldwide tour to celebrate Groundhog Day.  She arrived in San Francisco with all smiles.  Phyllis couldn't wait to get the day started.  Since it is Groundhog Day, Phyllis wanted me to give you San Francisco's morning weather report:

Temperature:  56 degrees
Precipitation:  0%
Humidity: 72%
Wind: 7 mph
Partly cloudy

I told Phyllis to get ready because we're going to Candlestick Park- Home of the San Francisco 49ers!

Overcast skies above Candlestick Park

It's a good thing Phyllis packed her PINK because it so happens that she'll be joining me in the Dirty Girl Mud Run to benefit the National Breast Cancer Foundation.  

Phyllis sporting PINK

Our Dirty Girl Team voted Phyllis as team captain. Go Team!

Team Phyllis: "Let's get dirty!" 

Phyllis taking a breather and drying off her soiled overalls 

While Phyllis had a blast at the mud run, she is happy to be back home with her host family.  Most of the morning was cloudy and she never got to see her shadow.  No shadow means an early spring for San Francisco.  But wait....

       ...is that a shadow?

Punxsutawney Phyllis finally sees her shadow

Looks like the clouds finally parted, but it's a bit too late since it is already late in the afternoon.  Phyllis decides to take a long bubble bath to wash away the sweat and grime of today's event.

Bath time with rubber ducky

Be sure to stop by Susanna Leonard Hill's blog to follow Phyllis' journey.   Thank you, Punxsutawney Phyllis for spending the time with me in San Francisco on Groundhog Day!  

Phyllis says:

and

WRITER'S LANGUAGE- Deciphering the Code

I'm going to sub my PB MS with a WC of 450 to an OP

If you are a new writer wandering around the blogosphere of kidlit writers, some of the acronyms being spewed out may seem foreign to you.  I call it writer’s language.  

To help you get integrated into the "inner circle," I've compiled a translation guide.  Learning the terminology will help get you by so you won’t feel lost in a conversation.  The following is a list of common words used in the writing industry. 

MG:   middle grade novel (ages 8-12)

YA:    young adult (ages 12 & up)

MC:   main character

OP:    online publisher

WC:   word count

MS:    manuscript

MSS: manuscripts (plural)

PB:    picture book
WP or WIP: work in progress (thanks for the add, Erik!)

ARC: advance reader copies (looks very close to what the final version of a book will look like in final publication.  The term ARC can be used interchangeably with “galley” (an old-school publishing term)

Illo:    illustration notes

sub:   submit

How do you like my illo?  I drew it myself.  

Here are a few others you may want to know:

PiBoIdMo- Picture Book Idea Month, hosted by Tara Lazar.  During the month of November, participants write down a story idea a day for 30 days.

12x12- A challenge of writing 12 picture books in 12 months, hosted by Julie Hedlund.

NaPiBoWriWee- National picture book writing week, hosted by Paula Yoo.  A challenge in which writers write a picture book a day for seven days during the month of May.

RLGL- Red light, green light challenge by Cynthea Liu.  Challengers send in their first page of the manuscripts up to 125 words.  If you get a green light, you submit the next 125 and so on until you get a red light.  The winner is the person who ends up sending in their complete manuscript.

GUTGAA- Gearing up to get an agent challenge, hosted by Deanna Barnhart.  Writers send in their pitch to win an exclusive submission to an agent.

With this cheat sheet you, too, can sound like a "professional" writer.  Give it a try.

I'd better get going.  I want to polish my mss with 12x12.  Need to work on my MC.  Hoping to sub soon.

If you know of other words I may have missed, please share.  I'd love to add it to the list!

Ringing in the NEW Year

A new year.  
A new look.
A new attitude.

Thinking in Themes

Every year, I set a theme for myself, which guides me through the new year. It shapes how I live my life and make decisions.  It helps me focus on my goals without being overwhelmed.  

Here are some samples of themes I've used in the past:
2008:  Don't worry...be happy!
2009:  Live Christ-like
2010:  Just do it!
2011:  Live.  Love.  Laugh.
2012:  Think big.  Think bold.  Think beautiful.

A few days ago, my friend Amanda Socci introduced me to a fascinating community at OneWord365.com.  Alece at OneWord365.com had a great idea to come up with One Word that sums up who you want to be or how you want to live. Here is how she describes it:

What do you want to focus on in 2013 ?

 It can be something tangible or intangible. It can be a thought, a feeling, an action, or a character trait. Your word will be a reminder, a nudge. Something you can reflect on, that will challenge you, that will inspire you.

Your word can be anything you want it to be.  All that matters is that it has personal meaning for you.

This is your word. It needs to resonate with your heart, no one else's.

- alece -

One Word

I was thrilled to read this because this was similar to my idea of themes. The challenge, however, was for me to tighten my theme to just one word!  (And I thought cutting my picture books to 500 words and keeping my tweets to 140 characters was tough.)

I decided that my one word should challenge me to complete my goals.  It should also remind myself to have fun in the process.  My word needs to inspire me. 

I anticipate 2013 to be challenging personally and professionally.  So, I thought about the word ENJOY.  It would remind myself to take it easy and have fun.  But I didn't think it would challenge me at all.  I thought about the word BREATHE, because it would calm and refresh me.  But that almost seems like I am anticipating stress in my life.  

Then I had an "AHA!" moment and discovered the perfect word that promotes productivity and fun.


My One Word is:  CREATE 

Created by Melanie of OnlyABreath

I am choosing this word because it covers a broad spectrum of ideas:

Create stories

Create joy

Create memories

Create success

BTW:  The badge was created by the generosity of Melanie of Only A Breath.  She custom-made the badge to my personal theme and she can make one for you too if you request one from her.  

Join me and pick your word that will shape you and your year.  Let it help you grow.

"Discover the big impact one word can make" ~One Word 365

What is your One Word?  Visit Only A Breath to view what others have adopted as their one word.

A YEAR-AT-A-GLANCE 2012- A Writer's Journey

The end of the year is always a good time to reflect on the past months.  Alayne Kay Christian is challenging us to reflect on 2012 and list 31 things that we accomplished throughout the year.  She suggests looking back at our successes with confidence and gratitude.

Between my triathlon training, my full time job as a dental hygienist, and my kids' busy sports schedule, I wondered how I managed to get through this year.  What do I have to show for it?  

A few grey hairs.  

But it was all worth it.  This was a year of balancing everything I love- my family and friends, my career, and my hobbies. Below is a breakdown of what I've been doing this year to help me grow as a writer.  Instead of listing 31 accomplishments, I decided to break it down by months.  

Here are my 2012 Highlights

January       

Set writing goals

February       

Won the New Voice Contest held by Sleepytown Press in the picture book category

April              

Participated in the one-month long Platform Challenge, held by Robert Lee Brewer

May

Started my series of Debut Picture Book Author Interviews on my blog

Wrote a picture book a day for a week in my first NaPiBoWriWee (National Picture Book Writing Week), hosted by Paula Yoo

Received my first blog award, the Liebster Award from Linda Hatton 

June

The community of writers, formed by our participation in the Platform Challenge in April, founded Wordsmith Studio 

July

Participated in Susanna Hill's Summer Short & Sweet for the first time

Won Christie Wright Wild's Spring Lucky Clover Picture Book Contest

August

Participated in Cynthea Liu's Red Light Green Light (RLGL)  writing contest for the first time

Signed up for the Picture Book Academy with Dr. Mira Reisberg

September
Participated in Gearing up to Get an Agent, held by Deana Barnhart, and won a spot to submit exclusively to Erin Murphy Literary agent, Tricia Lawrence 

October

Published my first picture book/eBook, Casey Chameleon, by Flying Books, Ltd. (who also happened to win an edublog award for best mobile app)

November
Participated in my 3rd PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Idea Month) with Tara Lazar

December
Joined a wonderful group of writers- Childrens Book Hub on Facebook for information, resource, and support.

Completed my first 12 x 12 in '12 and wrote 12 picture books in 12 months during 2012 with Julie Hedlund

Overall, 2012 has been a terrific year!  With all the challenges I participated in, I managed to write a total of 23 picture books in a year with many more ideas yet to be fleshed out.  But the one thing I am most fond of is the fact that I met so many new friends in the writing community.  Maybe next year, I'll get to meet some of them in person!

A toast to accomplishments and friendships!

Please share with me your accomplishments, I'd love to hear about them.  Also, visit Alayne Kay Christian's blog for more life coaching as we start the new year.