PiBoIdMo Results & Four WINNERS!!

Participating in Tara Lazar's PiBoIdMo was a blast, which was no surprise to me. I participated last year and was totally reeled in as a PB writer. I knew I just had to devote some time to crafting these books for the youngest of our readers. But one might think taking Tara's oath to focus intently on PB ideas for the riggers of an entire month sounds tough. To be honest, I thought the same thing last year when I considered signing up. But the total opposite happens.

Prodding my brain to constantly brew new ideas is stimulating! It this case, it not only gave me a ton of new picture book ideas, but my creative flow tightened in the other arenas where I write, too. What I needed to change within my YA novel to make it unique suddenly appeared. The art of writing two new query letters seemed clearer. And the bio and personal page I needed to write for the Mrs. Maine America pageant finally came together.

To top it off, I got to read amazing posts by amazing PB authors and illustrators all month long! And Tara even served icing on the cake: a handy-dandy new WINNERS badge.

Isn't it cute??

Last year, I shared all 33 of my new PB ideas with you. I won't do that here. I went back and read that post and it felt a bit tedious. Instead, I'll share five of those ideas.

But before I do I must announce the four WINNERS of my Book LOVERS Holiday Hop.

White Cat goes to

BECCA!

The Lovely Bones goes to

THERESA JANKE!

Fade goes to

LATISHA DEPOORTERE!

Across the Universe goes to

NATALIE AGUIRRE!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS!

Thank you for participating.

Now, for those ideas.

1. The Lonely Shrimp (a story about bullying)
2. Webbie and The Fly (a story about differences and how important it is to be yourself)
3. Sam & Cam, the Baseball Hams (a story about the life of two baseballs in Little League)
4. Socks Came From Outer Space (a fun mystery about exploration and where socks really disappear to.)
5. Mingy and Onk - The Tale of the Disappearing Blob (I'm leaving the plot of this story a mystery to you. But I will tell you that it's based on humor and it's my favorite one!)

I want to thank Tara for once again hosting such an amazing event, as well as all the participants. I've met some amazing picture book authors and even joined a group on rhyming!

If you haven't read my picture book story that was entered in the Meegenuis Publisher's Contest, head over HERE to read it and help me win books for my local elementary school! I have until the 18th to raise my votes, putting me in the top five. Thank you for all your help!

Picture Book Elements

I've been having a blast writing my picture books ideas. Even purchased myself a brightly-colored notebook, which I entitled - PBs Beyond the Stars. Thanks to Author Tara Lazar and her brilliant PiBoIdMo, I was able to formulate over 40 new PB ideas last year and I'm well into the game this year at 15 new ideas in 9 days.

Now I know some of you are not PB writers. But give what I write next some thought. Writing a picture book forces the author to plot, develop characters, and structure a story in probably the most concise way he/she ever has. Even if you've never given thought to writing a PB, it can be great practice in teaching your brain to filter out the details of your short story, chapter book, or full-length novel, to develop sharp and intense scenes, and maintain a steady pace. Not to mention, borrowing the mindset of a PB author just might help in writing your pitch, query, and synopsis for your longer works.

During this part of my writing adventure, I've had amazing guidance from some pubbed-up and/or highly-talented picture book authors. (Hi!! Jo Hart, Catherine Johnson, Sharon Mayhew, Laura Chesterson, & Kelly Hashway.)  For the most part, there seems to be collective thoughts among PB authors--essentials in writing picture books.

1. - Repetition. Children learn by simple repeats. And eventually, as the book is read over and over to them, they'll be able to read/sing along.

2. - The Rule of Three. Adding to #1, repetitions in threes flow best and tend to stick with the reader. Children like patterns, and patterns are a simple way to reinforce an idea or concept.

3. - Symmetric in Rhyming. Beats are important. If you do rhyme, which is not my strong point, you probably already know if 9 beats are used in one line and 10 in the next, you want to keep the pattern going. As long as there is continuity in thoughts and rhythm, you're probably okay.

4. - Cause & Effect. Just as in full length novels, something must happen and a result must be shown.

5. - Simple use of language. Choose words wisely and don't be afraid to revise and edit them to find the exact word to communicate your message. In PBs, the words aren't elaborate. Just effective.

6. - Plots down to two characters. More are okay. Just make sure they're not distracting. If their presence isn't necessary, you might want to think about axing them.

7. - Leave most description in the hands of the eventual illustrator. In other words, don't over describe or even use description as you would do in a YA or MG novel. Pictures have a major purpose in playing out and showing the development of a picture book story as well as a little person's mind.

8. - Create a mental picture while writing each line. Ask yourself questions. What could this look like, and who's eyes is it seen through? That last part is so important. Which character (or narrator) sees this story and how will that bee seen from the eyes of the child reading the book?

PLEASE add to my list and/or elaborate on any subject. I'm looking to write up a log and have it permanently linked to the blog to help other writers.


Small side splat: I'll be away next week with the hubs. We'll be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary alone, without the 4 kiddos. Weird. I'll miss you all!! But could you do me one favor? On Monday & Tuesday I'm highlighting Jessica Bell's amazing STRING BRIDGE book. Could you stop by to support her? Maybe tweet for her too? TY!!


~Hearts~ 

The Writer's Head Goes Snap, Crackle, Pop!

image credit

Silly title, I know. But isn't it accurate?

An idea Pops into a writer's head. He/she Snaps to it, scribbling down the idea in the best writer shorthand. Then the fun really begins. The idea Crackles as the writer stews on it, begins to taste it, feel it.

For me, that sums up the month of November, where writing goals are being set and pursued all over the world. Of course, we all know the most famous goal-setting arena among writers - NaNoWriMo. But there are other legitimate NaNo-based battlegrounds created to support, encourage, and drive all kinds of writers to write more. I've opted out of NaNoWriMo, this year, and wish all of you who are participating the best of luck!! Are you?

Instead, I've decided to be a part of two other writing drives, PiBoIdMo and NaNoWriWs4u.

PiBoIdMo is for picture book authors. It's all about letting yourself go and giving into your creative edge. We must come up with one new picture book idea each day. We don't have to develop the idea, although that would be total icing on the cupcake! I'm ahead of myself this year. I've come up with seven ideas and have mapped out two skeletal outlines.

NaNoWriWs4u follows the original NaNo plan closely, except each writer sets his/her personal goals as they see fit. We all have something we've been meaning to write or finish or edit, but life just keeps getting in the way. Or maybe we simply lost our momentum. This arena is to set those goals and report our progress at the end of each day. Accountability yet gently.


Here are my goals:

• formulate a new picture book idea each day and finish drafting two ideas.
• write at least half of the YA dystopian paranormal novel I've been mapping out forever.
• possibly tweak the beginning of MB and the query, yet again.

Feel free to join the group even if you're signed up for NaNoWriMo. Everyone can use a little more support and encouragement.

I won't be around to blog much today, but I will catch up with you this weekend. Heading out of state in search of an evening gown for the pageant. Speaking of which, I've been a horrible pageant guide. I haven't given you any peeks into my journey yet. To be honest, it's been really stressful, but I'm finally finding my center again. I'll share all that with you next Tuesday as well as some writing news and progress. :)

One of my queries is over on the QQQE, today. I'd be great if you could take a gander over and give me your insight into my query letter. I have already used this letter and it has gained me five requests, but I've heard nothing from the other seven that I sent out. So I'd like to tweak it a bit.

Thanks for all your help, and have a fantastic weekend!