 By Donna Cangelosi I recently had the opportunity to see Springsteen on Broadway, a one-man show and intimate look at the experiences that shaped Bruce's life and fueled his artistic expression. A perfect mix of heart-felt stories, humor, and musical genius. I laughed. I cried. I was so inspired! Most of the experiences Bruce shared during the performance appear in his beautiful memoir, BORN TO RUN, a story about growing up, hardship, dreams, friendship, rock-n-roll, letting go, and heart, heart, heart. Bruce also shares wonderful tips about the creative process that relate to the craft of writing picture books. Find What You do Best "I needed to travel light and be able to blow somebody away with just my voice, my guitar and my song. Voice...guitar...song...three tools. My voice was never going to win any prizes. My guitar accompanied on acoustic was rudimentary, so that left the songs. The songs would have to be fireworks. I decided the world was filled with plenty of good guitar players, many of them my match or better, but how many good songwriters were there? Songwriters with their own voice, their own story to tell, who could draw you into a world they created and sustain your interest in the things that obsessed them. Not many, a handful at best." The Takeaway: Find your own unique style and create the story only you can write. Write with Purpose "These were issues that had previously been relegated to the margins of American life. Dread--the sense that things might not work out, that the moral high ground had been swept out from underneath us, that the dream we had of ourselves had somehow been tainted and the future would forever be uninsured--was in the air. This was the new lay of the land, and if I was going to put my characters out on that highway, I was going to have to put all these things in the car with them." The Takeaway: Write stories with universal, relevant and relatable themes. Know your Process "I started with the guitar riff. Get yourself a great riff and you're on your way. Then I'd chug along chording randomly while I'd mumble, mumble, mumble...then, tramps like us, baby we were born to run...That was all I had..." It wasn't an easy piece to write. I started my title song that afternoon but I didn't finish it until six months of trial and tribulations, images, the road, the car, the girl...what else is there?" The Takeaway: It takes a long time to create a masterpiece, even for a rock star! Get to Know your Characters "When you get the music and lyrics right, your voice disappears into the voices you've chosen to write about. Basically, with these songs, I find the characters and listen to them. That always leads to a series of questions about their behavior. What would they do? What would they never do? You need to locate the rhythm of their speech and the nature of their expression. By pulling these elements together as well as you can, you shed light on their lives and honor their experiences." The Takeaway: Imagine what t's like to be your characters and write from their perspective Write with Meaning "Most of my writing is emotionally autobiographical. I've learned you've got to pull up the things that mean something to you in order for them to mean anything to your audience. That's where the proof is. That's how they know you're not kidding." The Takeaway: Write about subjects that have personal meaning to you. The best stories are the ones that come from the heart. Work at It...Over and Over and Over "Some of our mixes remained on the board for three, four days, a week, as we fussed, mussed and murdered one another in a vain attempt to capture all worlds. We had mixes with three-digit take numbers. We were violently frustrated and puzzled." The Takeaway; Collaborate and revise, revise, revise. Write for the Sake of Creating "I'm glad I've been handsomely paid for my efforts but I truly would've done it for free. Because I had to. It was the only way I found momentary release and the purpose I was looking for. So for me, there weren't going to be any shortcuts." The Takeaway: Enjoy the process. Write because you love to write, not for fame or fortune. Find your Tribe "If we didn't play together, The E Street Band would probably not know one another. We wouldn't be in a room together. But we do...we do play together and every night at eight we walk out onstage together, and that, my friends, is a place where miracles occur...old and new miracles. And those you are with in the presence of miracles, you never forget." The Takeaway: Don't go it alone. Join a critique group, go to conferences, and build friendships. Magic will happen! 
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 By Chana Stiefel
Sunni Herman, a dear friend of mine, recently completed the Atlantic City Half Ironman IM70.3 triathlon. She swam 1.2 miles, biked 56 miles, and then ran a half marathon. After this monumental achievement, she wrote an inspiring article about her “aha” moments and lessons learned. While Sunni’s article added a pep to my step and a fews laps to my swim, it also brought tears to my eyes. Sunni is a mom of three terrific kids and is Executive Vice President of a nursing home. She is power personified. I asked if I could adapt her lessons to our writing community. And in her sunny way, Sunni said, “Of course!” For those of you who want to run an Ironman, read Sunni’s article here. For the rest of us, here are five takeaways for authors from an Ironwoman:
Q & A with debut author, Ariel Bernstein, plus a giveaway! |
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Interview with author Chana Stiefel by co-blogger Donna Cangelosi
DC: Back in 2013 when I registered for my fifth NJSCBWI conference, I signed up to be part of a critique group. Several weeks before the conference, I received five manuscripts from the writers who would be participating in the group. One of them was DADDY DEPOT, written by Chana Stiefel. I remember the first time I read DADDY DEPOT like it was yesterday. BING! My eyes shot open! "How do people write like this?" I wondered. I fell in love with spunky Lizzie who tries to exchange her less-than-perfect (but totally lovable) dad at the Daddy Depot. Little did I know that Chana would become one of my critique partners, my co-blogger, and one of my closest friends. DADDY DEPOT (illustrated by Andy Snair) debuted May 16 from Feiwel & Friends. Here's Chana’s story, plus a chance to win a signed copy of DADDY DEPOT below!
CS: Thanks Donna! I just want everyone to know that I couldn’t have done this without YOU! I still have your critique from that conference where we met. You invited me that same day to join your critique group, which has been a huge support for me. And I continue to cherish your wise advice and encouragement. Every writer should have a Donna!
CS: Thanks Donna! I just want everyone to know that I couldn’t have done this without YOU! I still have your critique from that conference where we met. You invited me that same day to join your critique group, which has been a huge support for me. And I continue to cherish your wise advice and encouragement. Every writer should have a Donna!
Donna & Chana
DC: Thanks Chana! Ditto! What inspired you to write DADDY DEPOT?
CS: DADDY DEPOT was inspired by a bedtime story. My daughter, who was seven at the time, was mad at her dad, so we spun a tale about a girl who returns her father to the Daddy store. We laughed a lot. Afterward, I ran downstairs and wrote the first draft of DADDY DEPOT. That was eight years ago!
DC: How much of the book is autobiographical?
CS: The dad in the book is nothing like my own father, but very similar to my husband. He loves football, tells goofy jokes on a daily basis (as a pediatrician) and often falls asleep (and snores) during snuggle time. Nevertheless, I doubt my kids would ever return him to the DADDY DEPOT. The Mommy Market is another story. (Hint, hint to Feiwel & Friends.)
DC: Describe your writing journey.
CS: I’ve been writing books for kids for more than 20 years. I’ve written 20+ non-fiction books for the educational market, mostly about science and history. DADDY DEPOT is my first picture book and my first work of fiction.
DC: How did your experience as a non-fiction writer help you write picture books?
CS: It’s a very different process. You use a different part of your brain to write fiction. What did help was the habit of TIC (tush in chair) and the fact that I had a portfolio of previously published books when I met my agent. When I started writing picture books, I had to learn the process from scratch—through webinars, workshops, and SCBWI conferences.
DC: Tell us a bit about the publishing process for DADDY DEPOT.
CS: It’s been a long but exciting journey. I wrote my first draft in 2009. After taking it to a NJ-SCBWI craft workshop, where it was skewered (rightfully so because it had over 1,000 words, no character development and it rhymed terribly), I thought I would never write again. A few months later, I decided to watch a Writer’s Digest webinar on picture book writing by author Mary Kole. It inspired me to apply what I learned to DADDY DEPOT and my story began to take shape. After meeting you and joining our critique group in 2013, I was able to polish my manuscript and get it ready for submission.
CS: DADDY DEPOT was inspired by a bedtime story. My daughter, who was seven at the time, was mad at her dad, so we spun a tale about a girl who returns her father to the Daddy store. We laughed a lot. Afterward, I ran downstairs and wrote the first draft of DADDY DEPOT. That was eight years ago!
DC: How much of the book is autobiographical?
CS: The dad in the book is nothing like my own father, but very similar to my husband. He loves football, tells goofy jokes on a daily basis (as a pediatrician) and often falls asleep (and snores) during snuggle time. Nevertheless, I doubt my kids would ever return him to the DADDY DEPOT. The Mommy Market is another story. (Hint, hint to Feiwel & Friends.)
DC: Describe your writing journey.
CS: I’ve been writing books for kids for more than 20 years. I’ve written 20+ non-fiction books for the educational market, mostly about science and history. DADDY DEPOT is my first picture book and my first work of fiction.
DC: How did your experience as a non-fiction writer help you write picture books?
CS: It’s a very different process. You use a different part of your brain to write fiction. What did help was the habit of TIC (tush in chair) and the fact that I had a portfolio of previously published books when I met my agent. When I started writing picture books, I had to learn the process from scratch—through webinars, workshops, and SCBWI conferences.
DC: Tell us a bit about the publishing process for DADDY DEPOT.
CS: It’s been a long but exciting journey. I wrote my first draft in 2009. After taking it to a NJ-SCBWI craft workshop, where it was skewered (rightfully so because it had over 1,000 words, no character development and it rhymed terribly), I thought I would never write again. A few months later, I decided to watch a Writer’s Digest webinar on picture book writing by author Mary Kole. It inspired me to apply what I learned to DADDY DEPOT and my story began to take shape. After meeting you and joining our critique group in 2013, I was able to polish my manuscript and get it ready for submission.
DC: How did you find your agent?
CS: I met my agent, John Cusick of Folio Literary, at a four-minute pitch during my first NJ-SCBWI conference (the same conference where I met you!). It was incredible because I was a total newbie. But John must have liked my DADDY DEPOT pitch because he said, “Send it to me!” It was one of the happiest moments of my career. I remember telling you about it, and we were jumping up and down together. A few months later, I signed with John and DADDY DEPOT sold to Feiwel & Friends soon afterward.
DC: Were you involved with the illustrations?
CS: My publisher did ask for my illustrator wish list when the process began. Ultimately they chose the illustrator, Andy Snair. I couldn’t be happier with the way the book turned out. I did have some input in terms of looking at initial sketches. But the publisher felt strongly that the artist should have creative license and I can see why that works. Other authors have described “birthing a book together” with their illustrators. I would like to try that as well.
DC: How and where do you get your ideas for picture books?
CS: Anywhere and everywhere. In the pool, on walks, while I sleep, at the supermarket, reading the newspaper, hanging out with my family…. Ideas are everywhere. You just have to grab them and jot them down when they pop into your head.
DC: Do you have advice for unpublished writers about the publishing process?
CS: Of course you should read a ton of other picture books to study the craft. TIC is essential too. These books do not write themselves. Also I’ve become a firm believer that having a good literary agent is essential in this market. While you might have some success publishing a book on your own, agents help build careers. They understand the business aspects of publishing, open doors to editors, provide much needed editorial advice, negotiate contracts, boost your spirits when the rejections get you down, and so much more. In addition to polishing your writing, I would say putting your efforts into finding a good agent should be your top priority.
DC: What’s one take away from your journey?
CS: My writing instructors in college used to always say, “Write what you know,” meaning write from personal experience. I would extend that to “Write from your heart.” Write what you’re most passionate about. Heart-warming stories tend to strike a chord and are usually the most interesting and relatable.
DC: Great tips, Chana! What’s coming up next?
CS: I am in the process of editing a “monstrous” book about creepy critters that I wrote for National Geographic Kids, which comes out in 2018. My second picture book, WAKAWAKALOCH, about a cave girl who wants to change her hard-to-pronounce name (ahem!) will be coming out from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2019. And I have some super exciting news to share soon!
Enter to win a signed copy of DADDY DEPOT before Father’s Day! (U.S. only.) Details below!
CS: I met my agent, John Cusick of Folio Literary, at a four-minute pitch during my first NJ-SCBWI conference (the same conference where I met you!). It was incredible because I was a total newbie. But John must have liked my DADDY DEPOT pitch because he said, “Send it to me!” It was one of the happiest moments of my career. I remember telling you about it, and we were jumping up and down together. A few months later, I signed with John and DADDY DEPOT sold to Feiwel & Friends soon afterward.
DC: Were you involved with the illustrations?
CS: My publisher did ask for my illustrator wish list when the process began. Ultimately they chose the illustrator, Andy Snair. I couldn’t be happier with the way the book turned out. I did have some input in terms of looking at initial sketches. But the publisher felt strongly that the artist should have creative license and I can see why that works. Other authors have described “birthing a book together” with their illustrators. I would like to try that as well.
DC: How and where do you get your ideas for picture books?
CS: Anywhere and everywhere. In the pool, on walks, while I sleep, at the supermarket, reading the newspaper, hanging out with my family…. Ideas are everywhere. You just have to grab them and jot them down when they pop into your head.
DC: Do you have advice for unpublished writers about the publishing process?
CS: Of course you should read a ton of other picture books to study the craft. TIC is essential too. These books do not write themselves. Also I’ve become a firm believer that having a good literary agent is essential in this market. While you might have some success publishing a book on your own, agents help build careers. They understand the business aspects of publishing, open doors to editors, provide much needed editorial advice, negotiate contracts, boost your spirits when the rejections get you down, and so much more. In addition to polishing your writing, I would say putting your efforts into finding a good agent should be your top priority.
DC: What’s one take away from your journey?
CS: My writing instructors in college used to always say, “Write what you know,” meaning write from personal experience. I would extend that to “Write from your heart.” Write what you’re most passionate about. Heart-warming stories tend to strike a chord and are usually the most interesting and relatable.
DC: Great tips, Chana! What’s coming up next?
CS: I am in the process of editing a “monstrous” book about creepy critters that I wrote for National Geographic Kids, which comes out in 2018. My second picture book, WAKAWAKALOCH, about a cave girl who wants to change her hard-to-pronounce name (ahem!) will be coming out from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2019. And I have some super exciting news to share soon!
Enter to win a signed copy of DADDY DEPOT before Father’s Day! (U.S. only.) Details below!
From the archives! Here's Chana's critique of DADDY DEPOT by Donna from NJSCBWI 2013!
By Donna Cangelosi
The beloved Dr. Seuss (Ted Geisel) believed that the best stories are those that address children's basic needs: love, security, belonging, achievement, knowledge, and change. He urged children's authors to write with these needs in mind. Seuss also noted that kids love fun, play, and nonsense. As a participant in Carrie Charlie Brown's Reading For Research March challenge (ReFoReMo), I recently read dozens of picture books and found that these themes still apply to recently released books.
LOVE
I Wish You More- Written by Amy Krause Rosenthal, Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
Hug Machine- Written & Illustrated by Scott Campbell
SECURITY (Books about emotional security)
You Nest Here With Me- Written by Jane Yolen & Heidi Stemple, Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
I'd Know You Anywhere- Written & Illustrated by Nancy Tillman
BELONGING (Includes books about friendship & fitting in)
Mostly Monsterly- Written by Tammi Sauer, Illustrated by Scott Magoon
Stick and Stone- Written by Beth Ferry, Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
ACHIEVEMENT (Includes books about perseverance, mastery, & empowerment)
Nanette's Baguette- Written & Illustrated by Moe Willems
Bunny's Book Club- Written by Annie Silvestro, Illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss
Eddie the Bully- Written & Illustrated by Henry Cole
Charles Darwin's Around-The-World-Adventure- Written & Illustrated by Jenifer Thermes
KNOWLEDGE (Includes books about feelings & curiosity)
Normal Norman- Written by Tara Lazar, Illustrated by S. Britt
What Do You Do With An Idea- Written by Kobi Yamada, Illustrated by Mae Besom
Ada Twist Scientist- Written by Andrea Beaty, Illustrated by David Roberts
Rosie Rovere Engineer- Written by Andrea Beaty, Illustrated by David Roberts
Happy Dreamer- Written & Illustrated by Peter Reynolds
CHANGE (Includes books about loss, dreams & being different/going against the current)
Heart in the Bottle- Written & Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
Always Ida- Written by Caron Lewes, Illustrated by Charles Santoso
I Dissent- Written by Debbie Levy, Illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley
Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine- Written by Laurie Walmark, Illustrated by April Chu
FUN AND PLAY
The Book With No Pictures- Written by B.J. Novak
Mary Had A Little Glam- Written by Tammi Sauer, Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Moo!- Written by David LaRochelle, Illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka
Meet the Dullards- Written by Sara Pennyparker, Illustrated by David Salmieri
THE TAKEAWAY- Writing picture books with themes that appeal to children help them feel understood, makes them want to turn the pages, and fosters a love of reading.
Please share themes you've found in picture books you've read.
By Chana Stiefel
This Monday, April 24, is “Yom HaShoa V’Hagevurah,” the “Day of Remembrance of the Holocaust and the Heroism,” celebrated throughout the world to commemorate the six million Jews and all who perished at the hands of the Nazis. With the addition of the expression of heroism, the Israeli Knesset enacted the full name in 1953 to focus on the bravery of those who stood up to tyranny, Jews and non-Jews alike.
Each year (and perhaps this year especially), we are reminded that Holocaust education is essential. The question is: How do we explain the horrors of the Holocaust to young children? Picture books can be an excellent portal to open the door to discussion on this difficult topic.
Last month, I taught a class called “Picture Book Portrayals of the Holocaust” to a group of students at Ma’ayanot, the high school where I work. The class was part of a Book Day commemorating the life and legacy of humanitarian, author, professor and Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel (1928-2016). Wiesel taught us: “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”
Following are beautifully illustrated picture books that highlight this essential message—a message for all ages:
Each year (and perhaps this year especially), we are reminded that Holocaust education is essential. The question is: How do we explain the horrors of the Holocaust to young children? Picture books can be an excellent portal to open the door to discussion on this difficult topic.
Last month, I taught a class called “Picture Book Portrayals of the Holocaust” to a group of students at Ma’ayanot, the high school where I work. The class was part of a Book Day commemorating the life and legacy of humanitarian, author, professor and Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel (1928-2016). Wiesel taught us: “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”
Following are beautifully illustrated picture books that highlight this essential message—a message for all ages:
“The Terrible Things: An Allegory of the Holocaust,” by Eve Bunting, Illustrated by Stephen Gammell (Harper & Row, 1989)
Summary: Animals of the forest are content until The Terrible Things arrive and blot out the sun. First they come for all feathered animals. Little Rabbit wonders what’s wrong with feathers, but the other animals silence him. “Just be glad it wasn’t us they wanted,” says Big Rabbit. Then the Terrible Things return for bushy tailed creatures, followed by every creature who swims, and so on. No one stands up to the Terrible Things until the forest is decimated.
The Takeaway: Through the inaction of the forest creatures, children can start to understand this horrible period of history and begin discussions of what each of us can do to prevent it from happening again. Eve Bunting’s allegory of the forest creatures may be less terrifying for children and can be extended to lessons against tyranny in today’s world.
Summary: Animals of the forest are content until The Terrible Things arrive and blot out the sun. First they come for all feathered animals. Little Rabbit wonders what’s wrong with feathers, but the other animals silence him. “Just be glad it wasn’t us they wanted,” says Big Rabbit. Then the Terrible Things return for bushy tailed creatures, followed by every creature who swims, and so on. No one stands up to the Terrible Things until the forest is decimated.
The Takeaway: Through the inaction of the forest creatures, children can start to understand this horrible period of history and begin discussions of what each of us can do to prevent it from happening again. Eve Bunting’s allegory of the forest creatures may be less terrifying for children and can be extended to lessons against tyranny in today’s world.
“The Whispering Town,” by Jennifer Elvgren, Illustrated by Fabio Santomauro (Lerner Publishing, 2014)
Summary: Based on a true story, this beautiful book shows how one family in Denmark protected Jews from the Nazis by hiding them in their cellar. Worried about their safety, the Danish daughter, Anett, comes up with a clever plan to get the Jewish family safely to the harbor.
The Takeaway: This book’s positive message shows how effective resistance can be. Even young children can accomplish amazing things. As we read in the author’s note, Danes bravely hid Jews in warehouses, barns, hotels, and churches. They hired boats to smuggle them safely to Sweden. About 1,700 Jews escaped from the small fishing village of Gilleleje during the war.
Summary: Based on a true story, this beautiful book shows how one family in Denmark protected Jews from the Nazis by hiding them in their cellar. Worried about their safety, the Danish daughter, Anett, comes up with a clever plan to get the Jewish family safely to the harbor.
The Takeaway: This book’s positive message shows how effective resistance can be. Even young children can accomplish amazing things. As we read in the author’s note, Danes bravely hid Jews in warehouses, barns, hotels, and churches. They hired boats to smuggle them safely to Sweden. About 1,700 Jews escaped from the small fishing village of Gilleleje during the war.
“The Cats in Krasinksi Square,” by Karen Hesse, Illustrated by Wendy Watson (Scholastic Press, 2004)
Summary: Also based on a true story, this book shows how two sisters outfox the Nazis by using stray cats to distract their vicious dogs. The sisters then smuggle food to their starving friends in the Warsaw Ghetto.
The Takeaway: In one word: Resist! Hesse’s beautiful storytelling reminds us that each person has unique gifts and ingenuity to help others.
Summary: Also based on a true story, this book shows how two sisters outfox the Nazis by using stray cats to distract their vicious dogs. The sisters then smuggle food to their starving friends in the Warsaw Ghetto.
The Takeaway: In one word: Resist! Hesse’s beautiful storytelling reminds us that each person has unique gifts and ingenuity to help others.
“Benno and the Night of Broken Glass,” by Meg Wiviott, Illustrated by Jose Bisaillon (Kar-Ben Publishing, 2010)
Summary: With a cat’s-eye view, this book tells the fictional story of several families in one neighborhood in Berlin before, during, and after Kristallnacht (the Night of Broken Glass). An afterward shows photographs and tells about the real events of this horrific pogrom, which marked the beginning of the Holocaust on November 9, 1938. Wiviott’s gripping story and Bisaillon’s stunning illustrations show how normal life unraveled into horrific violence. Germans, who were once friends, lowered their eyes and turned their backs on their Jewish neighbors.
The Takeaway: This book poignantly portrays the disastrous results of a community’s inaction. By using a cat as a neutral bystander, children can watch events unfold and gain perspective and compassion for the victims. Nazis are portrayed by their brown shirts and black boots. As Wiviott—and Elie Wiesel— remind us, we cannot afford to remain neutral when our neighbors are being oppressed.
Other recommended picture books about the Holocaust:
“The Butterfly,” by Patricia Polacco (Philomel, 2000)
“Erika’s Story,” by Ruth Vander Zee and Roberto Innoncenti (Creative Editions, 2003)
“The Harmonica,” by Tony Johnston, Illustrated by Ron Mazellan (Charlesbridge, 2004)
What other picture books do you recommend with the message of not being silent and taking action? How can these lessons be extended for children? Please comment and share.
Summary: With a cat’s-eye view, this book tells the fictional story of several families in one neighborhood in Berlin before, during, and after Kristallnacht (the Night of Broken Glass). An afterward shows photographs and tells about the real events of this horrific pogrom, which marked the beginning of the Holocaust on November 9, 1938. Wiviott’s gripping story and Bisaillon’s stunning illustrations show how normal life unraveled into horrific violence. Germans, who were once friends, lowered their eyes and turned their backs on their Jewish neighbors.
The Takeaway: This book poignantly portrays the disastrous results of a community’s inaction. By using a cat as a neutral bystander, children can watch events unfold and gain perspective and compassion for the victims. Nazis are portrayed by their brown shirts and black boots. As Wiviott—and Elie Wiesel— remind us, we cannot afford to remain neutral when our neighbors are being oppressed.
Other recommended picture books about the Holocaust:
“The Butterfly,” by Patricia Polacco (Philomel, 2000)
“Erika’s Story,” by Ruth Vander Zee and Roberto Innoncenti (Creative Editions, 2003)
“The Harmonica,” by Tony Johnston, Illustrated by Ron Mazellan (Charlesbridge, 2004)
What other picture books do you recommend with the message of not being silent and taking action? How can these lessons be extended for children? Please comment and share.
Q & A with debut author Michelle Schaub, plus a giveaway!
By Chana Stiefel
Snowy outside? It's the perfect day to celebrate Michelle Schaub’s book birthday—her debut picture book Fresh-Picked Poetry: A Day at the Farmers’ Market (illustrator, Amy Huntington, Charlesbridge)! You'll find some wonderful Tuesday Takeaways in here, plus a giveaway! Details below.
Welcome to Kidlittakeaways, Michelle! What inspired you to write your book?
I’m a huge fan of farmers’ markets and local, seasonal eating. In fact, I often plan family vacations around places that I know have amazing markets. I knew I wanted to write a picture book that captured the wonder of market day, but I wasn’t sure how to go about it. Then one day I was at my favorite market, the Green City Market in Chicago, with my children. We were searching for paw paw, a rare fruit indigenous to North America which is only in season for a few weeks in late summer/early fall. While we scanned the venders, trying to catch a glimpse of this elusive fruit that looks like a bruised and lumpy pear, I thought about how much exploring a farmers’ market is like going on a treasure hunt. The idea of treasure hunts and new discovers is at the heart of all of the poems I wrote for this collection.
How does the final draft compare with the first draft?
My first draft included 25 poems and scanned an entire year at a market, starting with spring and continuing through winter. The collection focused more on how the market changes from season to season. My editor liked the poems and the topic, but she thought I was trying to “do too much.” She challenged me to set the entire market on one summer day. This meant cutting about half the poems and creating new ones. It felt like a daunting task at the time, but ultimately the collection is more focused and relatable as a result.
Describe your writing journey.
While I enjoyed writing, reading, and words all through grade school and high school, the idea that I might actually become a writer didn’t occur until the end of college. Up until that time I planned on becoming an architect. . .or a graphic designer. . . or a psychologist. (I was a little indecisive.) In my final semester, I took a creative writing class for fun. During one critique session, a classmate pointed out that my main characters were always kids. When she asked, “Have you ever thought about writing children’s books?” a big lightbulb went on in my brain. I have been teaching writing to children and writing for children ever since.
Do you always write in rhyme? What are the challenges of writing a rhyming picture book?
I don't always work in rhyme, but most of the poems in FRESH-PICKED do rhyme. When I set out to write a poem, I don't decide ahead of time if it is going to rhyme or not. I let the topic and tone "guide my pen." Rhyme works best for the poems in FRESH-PICKED because I am trying to cultivate a fun, rollicking adventure throughout the collection. One of the potential pitfalls of writing in rhyme is letting "rhyme rule over reason." This happens when you are so focused on finding a rhyme for a particular word that you end up diverging from your intended meaning. For example, let's say I am composing a poem about spring, and I write "I love the caress of a soft April breeze/ especially when I am nibble cheese." Clearly, I have let the rhyme dictate the content, and the result is a little, well... cheesy. Luckily, my poetry group does not let me get away with convenient rhymes that are not true to the content of the poem. Which leads to a lot of rewriting, and A LOT of consultation with my two best poetry tools: thesaurus.com and rhymezone.com.
Great tips! Do you have a critique group? How does it work?
I have an amazing poetry group, which includes Eileen Meyer, Heidi Roemer, and Patricia Toht, all successfully published poets. We meet once a month at a local coffee shop to critique work, celebrate victories, and commiserate over setbacks.
How did you find your agent?
I connected with my agent, Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literacy, at an Illinois Prairie Writers’ and Illustrators’ Day. I think Karen might be one of the hardest working and most efficient agents in the business. When it comes to answering emails, I often tell her that she is faster than Jimmy John’s.
Did you have any part in choosing your illustrator? Did you include illustration notes in your manuscript?
I did not have any say in choosing the illustrator nor did I include illustrator notes, but boy did I luck out. I am thrilled with Amy Huntington’s illustrations. She even created a clever sub-plot about two friends that meet at the market, one the child of a farmer and one the child of a shopper. The friends each have a dog, and these canine companions cause some unexpected adventure. Amy’s illustrations add a surprising layer to the book.
What were your favorite picture books growing up?
I loved the FRANCIS books by Russell and Lilian Hoban. Francis is such a spunky little badger and she taught me that it’s okay to have a mind of your own as long as your ideas don’t squash those around you.
What is one takeaway you’d like to share with aspiring authors?
If you are going to be a children’s writer, you have to be in it for the marathon, not the sprint. It took me twenty years of training to finally cross that finish line. And once I did, I realized it that really wasn’t a finish line, but more of a refueling station. So, grab your Gatorade and keep on going, because there are always more stories to tell.
Thank you so much, Michelle! Michelle is generously giving away a free signed copy to one lucky reader (U.S. only). Enter the Rafflecopter below!
Michelle Schaub's poetry also appears in And the Crowd Goes Wild, A Global Gathering of Sports Poems and The Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations. She is a middle school language arts teacher who nurtures a love of reading and writing with students. When not teaching and writing, Michelle loves hiking, biking, and exploring local farmers markets.
By Donna Cangelosi
I recently posted a question for published authors:
"If you had one takeaway or bit of advice for a new writer, what would it be? I immediately received over a dozen responses from some of the finest writers I know! And they kept coming!
"If you had one takeaway or bit of advice for a new writer, what would it be? I immediately received over a dozen responses from some of the finest writers I know! And they kept coming!
- "Take time to learn your craft." Sharon J. Wilson
- "Always keep a notebook handy to write down ideas, quotes, things that you appreciate and never stop writing." Sandra Wirtel
- "Read, write, join SCBWI." Jodi Moore
- "Be patient." Susan Hughes
- "Find a great critique group." Ariel Gordon Bernstein
- "Find a great group of writing friends." Andria W. Rosenbaum
- "Remember that every book you read, webinar you watch, idea you jot down, moment you spend thinking about a story counts as time you spent on your writing." Rebecca Koehn
- "Persevere." Janet Slingerland Hammond
- "Join SCBWI and critique group(s). Get your BIC [Butt in Chair] and go for it." Janet Bielonko Deenihan
- "Read, Write. Read. Rewrite. Repeat often." Cheryl Scott Keely
- "Don't rush." Jill Esbaum
- "It does not get any easier just because you have been published." Savannah Hendricks
- "Don't just read picture books- analyze them! Also ask yourself what you liked about a book, what you maybe didn't like about a book, and what you might have done differently. Study what goes into a story beginning, middle, and end. Study the word play. Etc., etc., etc.". Tammi Kippes Sauer
- "Don't give up on your dream!" Lauri Fortino
- "Get betas." Anne Hendricks Childress
- "Make your manuscript perfect and your marketing tools more perfect before you shop it. Learn the craft and join a critique drop early in order to have a polished story." Jeri Fay Maynard
- "Educate yourself of the publishing process. Take off your rose colored glasses but never lose a sense of wonder." Cindi Goodeaux
- Write your dreams on a notebook every morning. Nuria Otte
- Join groups like STORYSTORM and 12x12! Find great critique partners. Never give up! Chana Stiefel
- Have faith in yourself and listen to good advice from published authors. Mary Nida Smith
- Wait before you press send. Andria W. Rosenbaum
- Patience. There are no shortcuts. It's up to you. You will make mistakes. Persistence. (Full description on aileenwstewart.blogspot.com. Aileen Stewart
- Persist. Never give up writing. Ann Martin
- Connect with your inner voice. Find your tribe. Do a lot of work! Don't be discouraged. Master your craft. Develop a creative practice and creative process. Get professional feedback. Develop forever friendships. Arree Chung
- My advice from PiBoIdMo2014 HenryHerz.wordpress.com Henry Herz
- When you feel like your dreams are delusional, remember that the deep desires of your heart are always true. Don't give up! Sign up for the next writing event you can find with your tribe. Persist! Gretchen McLallen
- Reach out! You will gain support, encouragement, information...everything you'll need to help you on your journey. Vivian Kirkfield
- Persist. Joan Leotta
- Focus on your craft, not on publication. Ironically, that will help you get published faster. Take your time. Don't submit too soon. Wait until you are ready. Julie Foster Hedlund
- When you're book comes out, say yes to everything. I went in blind to some of the most amazing experiences of my life. Genevieve Petriello
By Chana Stiefel
Welcome Anna Forrester! Anna's beautiful picture book, BAT COUNT (illustrated by Susan Detweiler, Arbordale), debuted this month. Find out the backstory of Anna's bat story & walk away with some great Tuesday Takeaways. Plus, enter to win a free signed copy of the book below!
What inspired you to write your book?
A colony of bats lives in the barn of my family’s place in central Pennsylvania, and when we heard that scientists were asking people to track summer bat colonies as part of an effort to understand White Nose Syndrome, we decided to get involved.
Counting bats turned out to be strangely fun. As the sky changes, you lie there by the fire, watching. It can take an hour for them to come out, and it ends up being an incredibly relaxing way to end a day.
Also, my kids – like many kids today – are very aware of the ecological challenges the planet and so many of its species are facing. BAT COUNT is the story of one particular, worried child getting involved in citizen science and trying to make a difference; I hope that it will plant a seed in the minds and hearts of some of its young readers.
How does the final draft compare with the first draft?
BAT COUNT is long by many of today’s standards – almost 1,000 words – but it is a lot shorter than it used to be! It was one of my first picture book projects, and I put it aside once I started to get a sense of the norms of today’s trade market and realized there probably wasn’t a place for it in there. When I read that Arbordale, an educational publisher, was looking for math- and science-themed picture books, 1,000 words or less, I edited it down and pitched it as a book about bats and citizen science. The structure actually never changed too much – which is SO not the case for anything else I write – but the ending took lots of work.
Describe your writing journey.
I’ve always loved picture books, and wrote my first one 20+ years ago as my Master's thesis at Bank Street College. I fiddled around with a few more kids writing projects back then, but stopped when I decided to study landscape architecture.
Do you have an agent?
No agent – yet!
Do you have a critique group? How does it work?
I have been in a real-time, 8-person, monthly critique group of picture book writers for a couple years here in Philly. Recently our waiting list got so long that we started a second group, and I go to that one once a month now too: it is mostly writer-illustrators, so is different from my first group in interesting ways.
I have a few critique partners I met through the 12 x 12 Challenge, and a few other writer friends I’ve met along the way who I share work with, digitally – a couple, even, from our awesome 2017 Picture The Books’ cohort! (Check out Picture the Books, featuring this year's debut picture books, where Anna & I are members!)
Did you have any part in choosing your illustrator? Did you include illustration notes in your manuscript?
I had no part in choosing BAT COUNT’s illustrator, and the manuscript had no illustration notes (the narrative is pretty traditional). But Arbordale did ask for my thoughts at the beginning of the process: I said that I really wanted the pages to have a lot of sky, and that I didn’t see any reason Jojo’s family needed to be white.
What were your favorite picture books growing up?
Evaline Ness’s SAM BANGS AND MOONSHINE was a favorite, as was Marie Hall Ets’ PLAY WITH ME. There was a lot of Dr. Seuss and Robert McCloskey and Maurice Sendak floating around our house too. I was the youngest of four, and my (busy) mom read out loud to us a TON. She’d been an English major in college, and she took this course at The Great Books Foundation so she could go in to schools and do read-aloud programs. She is a great reader, and practiced a LOT on us, so I did a ton of listening to all sorts of stories too.
What is one takeaway you’d like to share with aspiring authors?
Try to understand why you write – your “writer’s purpose.” Whether you come from a marketing place or an artistic place or some other place entirely, try to know why you’re doing what you do.
I’ve read a couple pieces about this – (here and here) and, honestly, I’m not sure I’ll ever be done figuring it out for myself. Plus aspects of my purpose will probably keep shifting over time. But the process of trying to sort it out (by writing, of course) is invaluable to me – I absolutely recommend it.
Thank you Anna! Anna is generously offering a free signed copy of BAT COUNT to one lucky person (U.S. only). To enter, please check out the Rafflecopter below Anna's bio.
What inspired you to write your book?
A colony of bats lives in the barn of my family’s place in central Pennsylvania, and when we heard that scientists were asking people to track summer bat colonies as part of an effort to understand White Nose Syndrome, we decided to get involved.
Counting bats turned out to be strangely fun. As the sky changes, you lie there by the fire, watching. It can take an hour for them to come out, and it ends up being an incredibly relaxing way to end a day.
Also, my kids – like many kids today – are very aware of the ecological challenges the planet and so many of its species are facing. BAT COUNT is the story of one particular, worried child getting involved in citizen science and trying to make a difference; I hope that it will plant a seed in the minds and hearts of some of its young readers.
How does the final draft compare with the first draft?
BAT COUNT is long by many of today’s standards – almost 1,000 words – but it is a lot shorter than it used to be! It was one of my first picture book projects, and I put it aside once I started to get a sense of the norms of today’s trade market and realized there probably wasn’t a place for it in there. When I read that Arbordale, an educational publisher, was looking for math- and science-themed picture books, 1,000 words or less, I edited it down and pitched it as a book about bats and citizen science. The structure actually never changed too much – which is SO not the case for anything else I write – but the ending took lots of work.
Describe your writing journey.
I’ve always loved picture books, and wrote my first one 20+ years ago as my Master's thesis at Bank Street College. I fiddled around with a few more kids writing projects back then, but stopped when I decided to study landscape architecture.
Do you have an agent?
No agent – yet!
Do you have a critique group? How does it work?
I have been in a real-time, 8-person, monthly critique group of picture book writers for a couple years here in Philly. Recently our waiting list got so long that we started a second group, and I go to that one once a month now too: it is mostly writer-illustrators, so is different from my first group in interesting ways.
I have a few critique partners I met through the 12 x 12 Challenge, and a few other writer friends I’ve met along the way who I share work with, digitally – a couple, even, from our awesome 2017 Picture The Books’ cohort! (Check out Picture the Books, featuring this year's debut picture books, where Anna & I are members!)
Did you have any part in choosing your illustrator? Did you include illustration notes in your manuscript?
I had no part in choosing BAT COUNT’s illustrator, and the manuscript had no illustration notes (the narrative is pretty traditional). But Arbordale did ask for my thoughts at the beginning of the process: I said that I really wanted the pages to have a lot of sky, and that I didn’t see any reason Jojo’s family needed to be white.
What were your favorite picture books growing up?
Evaline Ness’s SAM BANGS AND MOONSHINE was a favorite, as was Marie Hall Ets’ PLAY WITH ME. There was a lot of Dr. Seuss and Robert McCloskey and Maurice Sendak floating around our house too. I was the youngest of four, and my (busy) mom read out loud to us a TON. She’d been an English major in college, and she took this course at The Great Books Foundation so she could go in to schools and do read-aloud programs. She is a great reader, and practiced a LOT on us, so I did a ton of listening to all sorts of stories too.
What is one takeaway you’d like to share with aspiring authors?
Try to understand why you write – your “writer’s purpose.” Whether you come from a marketing place or an artistic place or some other place entirely, try to know why you’re doing what you do.
I’ve read a couple pieces about this – (here and here) and, honestly, I’m not sure I’ll ever be done figuring it out for myself. Plus aspects of my purpose will probably keep shifting over time. But the process of trying to sort it out (by writing, of course) is invaluable to me – I absolutely recommend it.
Thank you Anna! Anna is generously offering a free signed copy of BAT COUNT to one lucky person (U.S. only). To enter, please check out the Rafflecopter below Anna's bio.
Anna Forrester has taught kindergarten and second grade, and designs landscapes for play. She writes picture books, chapter books and middle grade novels. Anna’s debut picture book, Bat Count (Arbordale, February 2017), is a ‘ficinformational’ story of bats, citizen science and hope. Anna loves books and she loves exploring – in Philadelphia where she lives, in rural Pennsylvania on her family’s farm, and in all the places her adventures take her. Visit Anna at her website or on Twitter .
Authors
Donna Cangelosi and Chana Stiefel are picture book critique partners & friends who are passionate about kids' books & are eager to share tidbits from their writing journey with other aspiring writers.
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