Monday Morning Spark

I've been thinking a lot about writing.

Shocking, I know, since I am a writer :)

But what with so many of us involved with writing - whether as writers ourselves, maybe striving to complete 12X12, maybe as devoted bloggers stretching ourselves through Mother Reader's Comment Challenge, or maybe just writing our own thing at our own pace - or as teachers of writing trying to encourage kids to express themselves, trying to show them the fun of creativity - I thought a little sparking activity would be fun :)

google images

So here's my Monday morning spark for you!

1.  Choose one of the following characters:
     a. a 4 year old girl
     b. a 5 year old boy
     c. a pirate
     d. a dog
     e. a monster

2.  Choose one of the following settings:
     a. the playground
     b. the bathtub
     c. the forest
     d. a train
     e. a picnic
... and, if you wish, combine it with one of the following adjectives:
     a. enchanted
     b. crowded
     c. cold
     d. boring
     e. funny

3.  Choose one of the following problems/situations:
     a. getting lost
     b. hates getting wet
     c. made a mistake
     d. scared of loud noises
     e. feels unimportant

4. Choose one of the following goals:
     a. wants to be really good at something
     b. wants to go somewhere
     c. wants to be in charge
     d. wants to get something
     e. wants to be different
   
5. Choose one of the following random words:
     a. orange
     b. key
     c. wish
     d. tomorrow
     e. turtle

6.  Choose one of the following bits of dialogue:
     a. "Don't touch that!"
     b. "Did you see that?"
     c. "That's strange!"
     d. "I want to go home."
     e. "I didn't mean to."

Now.  If you're a writer, take one of these things, or one from each group, or any combination, and turn them into a picture book/story or, if you're a teacher, share them with your class so they can make a story, either as a group or individually!

If you really want to add to the fun, tell us which prompt or combination of prompts sparked a story -  e.g. a monster (#1) who wants to be different (#4) gets lost (#3) in the forest (#2) and...  Maybe your combination will spark an idea for someone else.  Or add your own ideas for character, setting + adjective, problem/situation, random word, and/or bit of dialogue in the comments below to give readers even more spark options!  We could make a creative wildfire :)

I'll be very interested to see a) what characters, settings, etc. other people might toss into the arena, and b) whether this game actually sparks some real ideas for people, so please share!  Looking forward to your contributions, thoughts, story ideas :)

Would You Read It Wednesday - The 12th Pitch... Plus!

Has anyone seen the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (you know, the good one with Gene Wilder?)

There's a scene where Charlie's teacher says, "I've just decided to switch our Friday schedule to Monday, which means that the test we take each Friday on what we learned during the week will now take place on Monday before we've learned it.  But since today is Tuesday, it doesn't matter in the slightest.  Pencils ready!"

That's what I feel like this week :)  Columbus Day threw a monkey wrench in my "schedule" (can't really say that with a straight face because, really, I don't have much of a schedule :))  So today we'll have Would You Read It as planned, and then I'll slide Straight From The Editor in with the Fun Foto Fextravaganza on Friday.  Or maybe just save it for next Monday.  Who can say?  The test will be last Tuesday :)

Oh, and BTW, the theme for this week's Fun Foto will be MIGRATION.  So start rooting around for those 0-12 year-old-friendly photos that shout migration to you!

Okay.  So back to our regularly "scheduled" programming...

Oh, but first, remember that surprise I promised?
Do you?
Are you still interested?
Actually, the surprise is likely a lot more fun for me than it is for you, but I have to share it anyway!

You know my story Not Yet, Rose?  It's about a little girl who is waiting for a new sibling and isn't sure how she feels about it.  Well, ROSE has been picked up by Frecklebox.com, a website that creates all kinds of awesome personalized gifts for kids.  The result?  As of right this very minute you can order Not Yet, Rose in either hardcover or paperback, for the girl of your choice, as in Not Yet, Olivia, Not Yet, Alexandra, or Not Yet, Brunhilda!  How fun is that?

Check it out:

Even if you don't want to order one, you can play around with changing the name and see how it looks, which is totally fun :)

But should you ever have a little girl in your life who is about to become (or has just become) a big sister, now you can make a very special gift just for her.  Plus, I know the author, so I know how you can also get your book personally signed :)  The book is exactly the same as the original, with all of Nicole's beautiful artwork.  They just change the name for your special girl.  And there's a place for you to add your own printed dedication, too.

So, apologies if you were expecting a better surprise than that, but it seems very fun to me!

Now.  Onto today's Would You Read It!

Today's pitch comes to us from the amazing Christie, who blogs about picture books and holds picture book contests over at WRITE WILD.  Here is her pitch:

Working Title: Gleek
Age/Genre: MG Contemporary
The Pitch:  A math whiz but not great at reading and writing, eleven-year-old Art Schaeffer unknowingly stumbles upon the school bully's rule-breaking science fair project and must find a way to expose him before the judges make their final decisions.

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Christie improve her pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However, I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on the Would You Read It tab in the bar above.

Christie is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!

And don't forget to join us Friday for Fun Foto (Migration) and Straight From The Editor!

(Oh, and should you happen to order a personalized copy of ROSE from Frecklebox, you will earn major brownie points and possibly even be elected King and have a servant whose only job is to bring you fresh donuts whenever you snap your fingers, but of course, you know, it's up to you :))

Fun Friday Photo

So today's the day Catherine and I are starting our new Fun Friday Photo (maybe that should be Foto :)) Fextravaganza (because there's no word I can think of that means extravaganza and starts with F - at least not on this rainy morning!  Feel free to make suggestions.  My brain is sluggish before coffee, breakfast and sunshine.)

This week's theme is CONFUSION.  Here's my entry :)

courtesy google images

If you'd like to play along, post a photo with your interpretation of confusion and then put your link in the comments below and/or over at Catherine's so we can all visit your blog and enjoy and be inspired by your choices!  Who knows what great stories may be written today based on these pictures :)

After that, if you haven't had a chance to comment on this week's Would You Read It, please go here and share your expertise :)

Catherine and I hope you have fun with the photos fotos!  Have a great weekend!

P.S.  Ooh!  How about this one:  Fun Friday Foto Feature!  Hmmm.... where's my coffee :)

Would You Read It Wednesday - The Ninth Pitch!

Well, I am just full of fun and games this week!

First, we had our present game on Monday, which got a way bigger response than I expected!  I think I will leave it open until the wee hours of Friday morning and then post the winner on Friday, just in case anyone else wants to join in and hasn't had a chance yet.  (If that's you, go here.)  I got so many amazing, original responses - it was like opening presents for me to see what you all said!

Second, my friend Catherine Johnson and I want to try something fun on Fridays.  We will post a theme for the week and then on Friday, you put a photo on your blog that represents that theme and put the url to that post in our comment section (hers or mine or both until we figure out how to do a linky list - turns out they don't seem to work with Safari, which is what I have so...) and then everyone can visit each other's photos to see how they interpreted the theme!  I think we might get more than a few writing prompts from this :)  Since we both write kidlit, we want to keep the photos in a range appropriate for ages 0-12.  This will also separate us from other similar photo game/lists because, as far as we know, no one does a kid one.  We hope you'll all think this is fun and join in!  This week's theme is "CONFUSION"  So search around and find a photo that represents that.  It can be a family photo or one you find elsewhere.  As we continue, the game may evolve to writing captions or using the photos as prompts, but for now, we're starting simple, and the first week is a bit of a trial run, so please bear with us - but do join in so we can see if it works :)

And now, the moment you've all been waiting for... *dramatic music* ... It's time for Would You Read It!!!    (And no, we have not yet decided on an official snack - although muffins warm from the oven are sounding pretty good right about now....  Maybe I'll put up a poll.  Or maybe I'll just decide all by myself.  But I digress...)

Today's pitch comes to us from the lovely and talented Catherine from Canada - yes! the very same Catherine I'm doing the photo game with (how serendipitous is that? :))

Here is the pitch:

Working Title:  The Fairy Wood
Age/Genre:  MG
The Pitch:  Annabel gets distracted by flowers and fairies and cannot find her family in the woods, but the mystery of the disappearing flowers distracts her even more.  Annabel has no idea how close her family really are or who to trust.

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Catherine improve her pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However, I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on the Would You Read It tab in the bar above.

Catherine is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!

And we are both looking forward to your contributions to the photo game on Friday so please come join us :)  (With the added incentive of finding out who won the present game!!!)

There will always be plenty of fun around here :)

Would You Read It Wednesday - The Sixth Pitch!

Grab your Cheetos and settle into the recliner!  It's time for Would You Read It!

What?

Yes, Cheetos are a healthy breakfast! (they have cheese, which is dairy, duh!  Just make sure you wipe your fingers before you touch your computer or you'll get that orange dust everywhere...)

And no, first thing in the morning is not too early for the recliner! (after you're done with Would You Read It you will be perfectly positioned to enjoy all those other morning game shows!  Besides, you can't really enjoy Cheetos properly on the exercise bike.)

So now, are you ready?

I hope so, because here comes today's pitch *sounds of cheering and wild excitement*

Today's pitch comes to us from Laynie, a children's author from Texas.  She is writing a series about Moochie Mockingbird and this title is to be the second in the series.  (For you fellow campaigners out there, Laynie is also taking part in Rachael Harrie's Writer's Platform Building Campaign so head on out and look her up!)

Title:  Hidden Oaks Camp Or Else!
Genre/Age: MG
The Pitch:  Moochie Mockingbird and other animal friends lead endangered animals away from a huge, deadly Texas Hill Country wildfire to the safety of 'firewise community' Hidden Oaks, a summer youth camp. 

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Laynie improve her pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However, I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on the Would You Read It tab in the bar above.  (I figured y'all would get tired of me rewriting the same paragraph every week about the rules of the game so I put them up there :))

Laynie is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!

And once Laynie's pitch has had a couple days to be evaluated, I will put up the official poll so you can all vote on whose pitch should be sent to Erin!  Really, the excitement is practically unbearable!  Where are my Cheetos?  :)

Would You Read It Wednesday - The Fifth Pitch! And A Surprise!!!

It's Wednesday folks, and you know what that means...  Time for the world's most awesome game, Would You Read It!

But before I give you today's pitch, I have some super awesome exciting news!  A new twist to Would You Read It.

So far, I have posted people's pitches (I just have to stop and admire that accidental alliteration :)) and you all have written in with your opinions and helpful comments.

NOW, in addition, we are going to have a vote once a month where you all get to say which of the pitches for that month you thought was best.  The winner's pitch will be read by none other than Erin Molta, editor extraordinaire!!!

Erin is an experienced senior editor of picture book, early readers, chapter, middle grade, and YA books, as well as novelty and licensed titles. She has been in children's publishing for more than twenty years and has a keen understanding of early reader through YA audiences. She has an excellent reputation with established authors, illustrators, and agents.

She is currently evaluating manuscripts for publishers as well as freelance editing for prospective authors before submission to publishing houses.

What an opportunity!

Erin will read each month's winning pitch and supply valuable feedback to the author on how to improve it.  And who knows?  If she likes it enough, she may ask for a partial or complete ms to read!

And you thought Would You Read It couldn't get any better :)

I must also add that Erin has a special place in my heart... it was she who purchased my very first ms for publication, The House That Mack Built for Little Simon :) ... so you know she has good taste :)

Because the first 2 Would You Read It entries were in July and there were only 2, the first vote will include them with the August entries, which means there will be 5 or 6 instead of 4 or 5 and the vote will take place after the final August entry.  (Which gives me a week to figure out Poll Daddy or some other voting scheme - advice welcome :))

But isn't this so exciting???!!!

OKAY!  So onward to today's pitch, which comes to us from the lovely Pam, a writer, mother, and teacher of maritime history and seamanship at the San Diego Maritime Museum.

Pam presents us with this entry:

Title:  When This Is Over, I Will Go To School And I Will Learn To Read: A Story Of Hope And Friendship For One Young Kenyan Orphan
Genre: PB
The Pitch:  No one knows the story of Kenya better than the children who live it, and it is their truth that is certain to nudge the hearts and minds of parents, teachers and children everywhere.


So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Pam improve her pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However, I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on the Would You Read It tab in the bar above.  (I figured y'all would get tired of me rewriting the same paragraph every week about the rules of the game so I put them up there :))

As an added note, this week's entry is a little different.  Pam has self-published and is looking for ways to bring attention to her book, hence her interest in improving her pitch.  If you're interested in learning more about Pam and her book, please visit her website and view her trailer on YouTube (the link for which I cannot get to work in spite of just trying 400 times so please search When This Is Over.mp4 by mabeldog4).

Pam eagerly awaits your comments and suggestions, and Erin is waiting excitedly in the wings for the first pitch winner in a week or two!!!

Would You Read It Wednesday - The Fourth Pitch!

Hurray!  It's Wednesday!  That means it's time for everybody's favorite game...  duhn-duhn, duhn-duhn - (dramatic music!) Would You Read It!

Now, I know a lot of you authors out there are up to your eyebrows in WriteOnCon (which is totally awesome, BTW, and if you haven't checked it out you owe yourself a trip over there to see what's up!), but surely you will have a moment around midnight, or at least mid-afternoon Thursday while you're refilling your tea cup, or certainly by Friday when WriteOnCon is over, to help out this week's Would You Read It contender!  And parents, teachers, and librarians - this is your chance to get your two cents in before the writers :)

This week's entry comes to us from Paul, a New York City area art director who is quite new to the world of writing children's books and will be grateful for any pointers you can give him.

Here it is:

Title: The Big Red Boat
Genre: Picture Book Series entitled Adventures With Benjamin Blueberry and Wally The Goat.
The Pitch:  Wally the Goat is steering the boat... Look at him go around that duck and through the waves.  He sure is saving the day.

So.  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE, or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Paul improve his pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However, I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on the Would You Read It tab in the bar above.  (I figured y'all would get tired of me rewriting the same paragraph every week about the rules of the game so I put them up there :))

Paul is eager to hear your thoughts on his pitch!

Would You Read It Wednesday - The Third Pitch!

Good morning, folks!  Grab your coffee and a donut an apple (and for those of you who, like me are finding it a little harder to read the computer screen these days, your reading glasses) and GET READY!  It's time for everybody's favorite game, Would You Read It!

I just have to say, before we get started, that it has warmed the cockles of my heart to see what a wonderful response you've all given our participants!  Those who have been brave enough to submit a pitch have been so grateful for your helpful comments!

(And please don't ask me what a cockle is or what they're doing in your ventricular space.  A cockle sounds like something that should shackle you to a chicken coop, which seems like a sniglet, but I digress...!)

Okay.  Ready?

Today's pitch comes to us from Alisha, an elementary school music teacher, flutist, and chicken farmer :)  Welcome, Alisha, and thanks so much for playing our game!

Alisha presents us with this entry:

Title: Finding the Reindeer Beat

Genre: Picture Book

Pitch: "When Santa’s sleigh team decided to retire, a new group of reindeer trained with Coach Dasher, almost crashed in front of Santa, and discovered the secret to staying together."

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE, or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Alisha improve her pitch.  (However, I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks and spread the word to all your writer friends so we can keep playing!!!

Rules For The Game: send your working title if you have one, the age/genre you're writing for, and The Pitch, (and your pitch can be anonymous if you prefer - just let me know) to susanna@susannahill.com (or use the handy Email Me button on the right-hand side.)  Try out pitches you're polishing for submission to get a sense of how they're working, or try out pitches for ideas you're mulling over to see if they have merit.  Writers and readers are here to help!

Alisha is anxiously awaiting your thoughts on her pitch!

Hooked

I was fighting the urge.

I really was.

I told myself Quite Sternly! that I was not going to overwhelm you with billions of pictures of our exquisite new granddaughter.  And I'm really not.  Except I just have to post these two.  Because I'm totally hooked.  But then I'll stop.  I promise :)

One of her beautiful face - she looks a lot different with her eyes open, doesn't she?

... and one of her tiny feet, because baby feet are simply irresistible :)

Okay.  That's it.  I'm done :)

But speaking of being hooked, I am, coincidentally, reading Hooked: Write Fiction That Grabs Readers At Page One and Never Lets Them Go by Les Edgerton.  And it's got me thinking about first sentences.

So I'd like to challenge everyone to a new twist on a combination of Monday and Wednesday's posts.  Here's what to do:  pick up the book you're currently reading.  Type into the comments the title and author of the book and the very first sentence.  I'm assuming it hooked you because you're reading the book, but please say whether it did or whether you were just willing to be patient for some reason, and please also say whether the book is delivering on it's promise so far.  Not only will this be fun for writers to learn from, it will give all of us some recommendations for good reading :)

I'll go first.

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
"They say that just before you die your whole life flashes before your eyes, but that's not how it happened for me."
YES - I was hooked, and YES, so far the book has more than delivered on its opening promise - it's terrific!

I can't wait to see what you guys are reading and how good (or not) the first sentences are!

Have a great weekend!

Would You Read It Wednesday - The Second Pitch!

Good morning everyone!  It's time, once again, for everybody's favorite game show: Would You Read It!
(Really, that would be so much more fun if it was lit up and sparkly, but I am not that talented at technology :))

Today's pitch comes to us from the lovely Megan in Indiana.  Welcome, Megan, and thanks so much for playing the game!

Megan presents us with this entry:

Title:  The Rhyme Machine
Age/Genre:  PB
Pitch:   “Chaos breaks out in a classroom when an imaginary ‘rhyme machine’ springs to life and starts creating things that rhyme with anything that’s said.”


So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE, or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Megan improve her pitch.  (However, I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

And now, seriously!, please send your pitches for the coming weeks and spread the word to all your writer friends or this game will die on the vine!  We can only play if we have pitches.  I know a lot of you have big writer followings, so I would be most grateful if you wouldn't mind spreading the word!

Rules For The Game: send your working title if you have one, the age/genre you're writing for, and The Pitch, (and your pitch can be anonymous if you prefer - just let me know) to susanna@susannahill.com (or use the handy Email Me button on the right-hand side.)  Try out pitches you're polishing for submission to get a sense of how they're working, or try out pitches for ideas you're mulling over to see if they have merit.  Writers and readers are here to help!

Megan looks forward to your thoughts on her pitch!

You Can Call Me Granny :)

Today is full of fun!

First:

It's true, it's true!  I have reached granny status :)  Just goes to show, you can be a grandma at 29 :)  Our first grandchild, Annabelle, arrived yesterday afternoon, 7 lbs. 7 oz., and perfect in every way!  Mother and baby are doing well.  Here she is:

Second:

I have been featured in the August Author Spotlight on What's Up Sippy Cup (good timing, no?)  Please pop over and enjoy their site, full of all kinds of great information for expectant parents as well as parents of babies, toddlers, and preschoolers (including such helpful nuggets as DON'T feed them chocolate pudding and cream before their first birthday! - OK, not really, but that could be there...)  To read the author spotlight interview, go here and scroll about halfway down the page.

Third:

It is apparently National Book Week (who knew?) and Face Book has a game that I'm borrowing and altering slightly because it's fun.  Here are the rules:

Pick up the book you are currently reading.  Go to page 56.  Copy the 5th sentence on that page in your comment below just for fun.  Do not mention the title or author (but if anyone has guesses, by all means guess!)  Here's mine:

"We listen to Dr. Dre and Tupac, and then we blast "Baby Got Back" and all sing along."

I have to say, that is by far the shortest, least informative sentence on that page!  The 4 before it are so long that that one is half way down!

So, share your sentence, check out What's Up Sippy Cup, and feel free to leave comments on cute baby picture!  Have a great Monday!

Would You Read It Wednesday - The First Pitch!

My little heart is going pitter-pat and it is certainly not because I've had too much coffee.  (Really, I'm shocked you even thought that!)

No!  I'm excited because last week I thought up a game that over 4 people expressed an interest in, and one of them has even sent an entry!

So we're off and running with Would You Read It Wednesday!!!  SO exciting!!!

(Okay.  Now I'm putting on my announcer voice because I know how much you like it.)

It's time to play Would You Read It!  Please welcome our very first contestant, Andrea from Canada.  Let's give her an extra round of applause, ladies and gentleman, for being brave enough to go first AND tell us her real name!

Andrea presents us with this entry:

Working Title:  Wild (Girl) Genius

Age/Genre:  MG

The Pitch:  After girly Jade persuades her adventure-enthusiast parents to get her into a special camp led by wilderness expert Carson Riley, Jade's plans to show Carson she’s skilled enough to host a youth segment of his new TV show get messed up by a secret celebrity and someone sabotaging the camp.

So now it's up to you folks.  Let's vote.  Would you read it?  YES, MAYBE, or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Andrea improve her pitch.  However, I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.

And now that you've all seen how fun this is in action, please send your pitches for the coming weeks and spread the word to all your writer friends so everyone can benefit!  All we need are the working title if you have one, the age/genre you're writing for, and The Pitch, (and your pitch can be anonymous if you prefer.)  Try out pitches you're polishing for submission to get a sense of how they're working, or try out pitches for ideas you're mulling over to see if they have merit.  Writers and readers are here to help!  Please send pitches to susanna@susannahill.com (you can use the EMAIL ME button in the right hand column too if that's easier :))

Looking forward to your thoughts on Andrea's pitch, and to your pitches as well!

Would You Read It? Wednesday

I've been reading a lot about the importance of pitches lately and it got me thinking:  we can all use a chance to brush up our skills, and we can all use a little input on how we're doing.

So I thought up a new game!  (Are you surprised?)

It's called Would You Read It? (I'm using my Game Show Host Voice) and if you guys think it's fun, we could make it a regular weekly Wednesday feature.  It sounds like fun to me (but then, I love games :))

Here's how we'll play:  people can send their one sentence pitch along with the title (if you have one) and the genre/age intended (just so we have a vague idea where you're aiming) to moi and I will post them on Wednesdays.  There will be a poll so readers can vote yes they would read it, maybe they would read it, or no they wouldn't.  If you get a lot of yeses - great! you're on the right track; a lot of maybes, then maybe it's not quite strong enough. If you get a lot of nos, then you know you need to work on your pitch a little more before striking up a conversation with a famous editor in an elevator somewhere :)  And we could make the pitches anonymous if you want to protect your ego privacy :)

You can send pitches of WIPs that you're readying for submission, or you can send pitches of possible ideas to see if you get a good response and it may be a story worth writing.

Here's a sample game so you can see how we'd play:

#1
Title:  Where The Mountain Meets The Moon by Grace Lin
Age/Genre:  MG
The Pitch:  "Minli, an adventurous girl from a poor village, buys a magical goldfish, and then joins a dragon who cannot fly on a quest to find the Old Man of the Moon in hopes of bringing life to Fruitless Mountain and freshness to Jade River."
Would You Read It?  YES MAYBE NO?

#2
Title:  Ribbit Rabbit by Candace Ryan
Age/Genre:  PB
The Pitch:  "Frog and Bunny are the best of friends, even though sometimes they get into fights."
Would You Read It?  YES MAYBE NO?

#3
Title:  A Great And Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Age/Genre:  YA
The Pitch:  "After the suspicious death of her mother in 1895, sixteen-year-old Gemma returns to England, after many years in India, to attend a finishing school where she becomes aware of her magical powers and ability to see into the spirit world."
Would You Read It?  YES MAYBE NO?

Then in the comments you would write:  #1 Maybe, #2, No, #3 Yes (or whatever.)  Get it?  Sound fun?

Let's give it a whirl!  Comment with your thoughts on these three, and then start sending pitches for next week!  Also comment if you think the game would be fun and you'd be willing to pitch in (oops, my punster is showing again :)) or if this game sounds worse then getting root canal.

Word Fun Monday

It's Monday, and while I (as I've mentioned before) find that inspiring, many people look at the work week ahead and think oy!

So here's a little fun to brighten your day :)

My family is very game oriented, and especially word-game oriented (in case you haven't figured that out from my many posts about how much I love games :))  My sister is visiting with her kids, and last night at dinner the following questions were posed:

Only 2 words in the English language contain uu.  What are they?

Only 3 words in the English language begin with dw.  What are they?

What are the 2 longest one-syllable words in English?  (I'll give you a hint - one is 8 letters and one is 7 and they both begin with s - also, this game refers to root words, so no prefixes, suffixes or verb endings etc.)

Technically I should be offering a prize for the first person to guess all three, but I'm fresh out of prize ideas... unless someone wants one of those nameless dead sea creatures I mentioned on Friday (she said hopefully)?  For the time being, you will have to be satisfied with the fame of being the person connected with this blog who is That Smart!  If you can answer all three I will be impressed and if you think up a reasonable prize for yourself I'll consider it :)

Ready, set, GO!  I can't wait to see if you can guess the words!

Blogfests

Don't worry.

I have not been eaten by a bear.

Yet.

It's just that we are in the middle of high-school-graduation-8th-grade-play-rehearsals-and-performances-baby-shower-shopping-8th-grade-graduation-ceremony-and-party-planning-and-shopping-wedding-related-hysteria-vacation-planning-along-with-the-general-busy-ness-of-daily-life so I'm finding it a little hard to keep to my schedule... :)

I hope you all had the opportunity to read at least some of the entries in Cally Jackson and Rachel Morgan's tension blogfest.  I thought it was really fun to enter, and to read all the other entries (although this morning, it was practically impossible to vote on a winner!)

It was such fun that I'd like to do a blogfest, too!

But not tension, because that's been done :)

So here's my question:  what do you think would be a fun blogfest?

300 words about character? Or setting?

One-paragraph plot synopses?

A one-sentence pitch contest?  (Ooh - that sounds like a good one!)

A limerick contest (maybe on a certain topic)?

A segment of dialogue?

Other brilliant suggestions?  (But remember, this is a children's writer blog, so all ideas should be appropriate for kids, MG, or YA.)

Please let me know what you think would be fun, and what you might consider entering.  (It's more fun with lots of entries!)

I'll look forward to your responses!

P.S.  If you'd like to join me in hosting the blogfest (as Cally and Rachel did it together) please let me know that, too :)

Chasing Away The January Blues

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!)