I hope you all had lovely weekends!
Remember on Friday when I was being so amazingly brief? And I told you that I wanted to wax poetic about something but didn't have time?
Well, lucky you! Now I have time!
(But not too much, so don't panic and run away :))
I am of the firm opinion, at least when it comes to my own writing, that there is always room for learning and improvement. So I've always got my eye out for books and classes and such-like that might help me in my quest to be a better writer. And it just so happens that I have discovered a gem!
And because you are my peeps I will share it with you :)
This gem of which I speak is Linda Ashman's new Nuts And Bolts Guide To Writing Picture Books. I'm sure you all know Linda - author of the fabulous No Dogs Allowed and 30 or so other wonderful picture books. Well, I read her guide last weekend and loved it. Tina Cho did a wonderful write up of it HERE along with an interview with Linda, so rather than reinvent the wheel I'll just direct you over there if you want an in-depth review.
But if you're interested in purchasing this excellent how-to book, which I highly recommend, it's available in e-pub format ($15) or PDF ($20) and you can get copies at
I am happy to say that Linda has kindly offered a copy as a prize in an upcoming writing contest on this blog. I think it will be for the Halloweensie Contest... but I'm still deciding... :) So some talented writer will be able to win one here! :)
(And as long as we're on the subject of Linda, I have more great news which is that she will be offering a Rhyme Clinic here on Monday December 2. Full details will be provided in a future post, but mark your calendars for the day and all you rhymers get out your troublesome stanzas and get ready to send them in! :))
And now, given that it's only about 3 weeks until the Halloweensie Contest and I'm sure you're all anxious to have the guidelines so you can get started working on your stories, let's have a chat about Halloween words, shall we? Everyone please share one or more of your favorite Halloween-related words in the comments below! And I was thinking I'd post the guidelines next Monday, which would give you just over 2 weeks to write your stories, but feel free to let me know in the comments if you think you need more time. I can always post them in an extra special post somewhere :)
Have a marvelous Monday, everyone! And don't forget - Halloween words!!!
Now, I'm off to talk to a class of college students about a career in writing picture books. Wish me luck (as having to stand up and talk to people over the age of 9 turns my knees to jelly!)
Remember on Friday when I was being so amazingly brief? And I told you that I wanted to wax poetic about something but didn't have time?
Well, lucky you! Now I have time!
(But not too much, so don't panic and run away :))
I am of the firm opinion, at least when it comes to my own writing, that there is always room for learning and improvement. So I've always got my eye out for books and classes and such-like that might help me in my quest to be a better writer. And it just so happens that I have discovered a gem!
And because you are my peeps I will share it with you :)
This gem of which I speak is Linda Ashman's new Nuts And Bolts Guide To Writing Picture Books. I'm sure you all know Linda - author of the fabulous No Dogs Allowed and 30 or so other wonderful picture books. Well, I read her guide last weekend and loved it. Tina Cho did a wonderful write up of it HERE along with an interview with Linda, so rather than reinvent the wheel I'll just direct you over there if you want an in-depth review.
But if you're interested in purchasing this excellent how-to book, which I highly recommend, it's available in e-pub format ($15) or PDF ($20) and you can get copies at
I am happy to say that Linda has kindly offered a copy as a prize in an upcoming writing contest on this blog. I think it will be for the Halloweensie Contest... but I'm still deciding... :) So some talented writer will be able to win one here! :)
(And as long as we're on the subject of Linda, I have more great news which is that she will be offering a Rhyme Clinic here on Monday December 2. Full details will be provided in a future post, but mark your calendars for the day and all you rhymers get out your troublesome stanzas and get ready to send them in! :))
And now, given that it's only about 3 weeks until the Halloweensie Contest and I'm sure you're all anxious to have the guidelines so you can get started working on your stories, let's have a chat about Halloween words, shall we? Everyone please share one or more of your favorite Halloween-related words in the comments below! And I was thinking I'd post the guidelines next Monday, which would give you just over 2 weeks to write your stories, but feel free to let me know in the comments if you think you need more time. I can always post them in an extra special post somewhere :)
Have a marvelous Monday, everyone! And don't forget - Halloween words!!!
Now, I'm off to talk to a class of college students about a career in writing picture books. Wish me luck (as having to stand up and talk to people over the age of 9 turns my knees to jelly!)
