The Author & a Pageant

So, I've got some news.

When I made the decision three years ago to write seriously I had no idea where that would lead me. And just like most of you, I learned quickly that writing is a journey of confidence and great joy, but also potholes and blindsiding twists.

To learn the craft, one of my many methods was to surround myself with like-minded folks--people who work hard and give of themselves on a daily basis, and yes, writers: some of the most selfless and supportive individuals I've ever known.

 
Back in May, I was contacted by a consultant for the Mrs. Maine America 2012 Pageant and asked to compete for this year's title. I'll admit, initially I blew the idea off, needing to completely rewrite Marked Beauty and to spend time with my four kids throughout the summer. However, after seeking the advice of others and chatting with Christie--the consultant who's fabulous, BTW--I've recently decided to compete. And I could use your help.

Your support would mean the world to me. Of course, a friendly Go get'em girl will warm my heart. I will so appreciate and need those. But the pageant is also quite costly. As you can see, I've added a widget to my right sidebar. If you'd like to help sponsor me that would be amazing!! Any donation would help.

But that's not all. Recently, a beloved teacher in my area passed away. He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer late this summer. I had him as a teacher in school, and he was also the father to one of my friends and classmates. In his honor, our local high school and a group of students have created a scholarship fund to be awarded to a senior, pursuing an education in chemistry or field of science. I've written a newspaper article free of charge in support of this effort, which was release yesterday in one newspaper and will be reprinted in others. I've decided that any monies I raise above and beyond my pageant expenses will be donated to this scholarship fund, helping to support the scholarship and also raise awareness of esophageal cancer.

I've linked the article to my paypal widget as well as above. I hope you'll read it. Not so much for me, but for this amazing teacher the world lost a few weeks ago. He had a 43-year career doing what he loved to do. My hope is that we all can learn to live our lives that way.

Pageants carry a stigma. Don't deny it; you know it's true. By participating in this pageant, I'm hoping to shed new light on pageantry and all the lessons it can teach and opportunities it can lend. (Just as former Miss Maine Ashley Underwood did when she took the challenge of being a cast member of the hit show Survivor last season.) The Mrs. America Organization has been running for 35 years. Over those years, its title holders have done countless works of charity. Their focus is on a woman's accomplishments--what she's done with her life and how she's lived it. I believe that's an important element of life, and in today's society, it's a priceless example.

My other goals are easy:

• to share the experience and wisdom I've gained through my almost 20-year marriage and the joys and angst of raising four children--yeah, kind of like writing, isn't my friends?
• 
  
• to share my passion for writing, and the importance of regular reading and writing for children and young adults. They don't have to aspire to be professional writers when they grow up. But reading and writing can be therapeutic and teach the vital skill of dreaming. Think Big - Be Big. We never know where we can go unless we dream it first. Reading and writing can develop other skills such as confidence and the ability to formulate ideas and answers, not to mention the ability to communicate in an articulate manner.  

The pageant will be held sometimes at the end of January or beginning of February. I plan on writing posts, recording my experiences to share with you. I've already had a few--as you can see from the photo shoot photos I've added to this post--so I'll have to backtrack. I've also started a separate Facebook page. Would you please head over and Like it for me?

Thank you in advance for your support!!

Hearts,
S~ 

Graffiti Wall Interview: Author Kris Yankee

The Graffiti Wall is pleased to welcome a wife, mother, editor, and middle grade author to share her splats with us and leave her mark in the Alleyway. AND she's no ordinary mom--she's a hockey mom!! We're also part of Shannon Whitney Messenger's MMGM!! So head over there after and take a peek at the others celebrating the art of writing Middle Grade Literature!

Author Kris Yankee

How did you start writing chapter books? 

Originally I was signed by my agent, Christine Witthohn of Book Cents Literary Agency, on a women’s fiction manuscript. I worked to get it in great shape for submissions, but she wasn’t able to sell it. This was a few years ago, and the women’s fiction market was flat. She asked me to try a different genre. Middle grade came easily to me since I have two young boys at home. Saving Redwind was the first middle grade chapter book that I’d written.

What is the targeted age range for chapter books? 

There are two types of chapter books – early readers and middle grade. Early readers are usually targeted at high-first grader readers up to third grade readers. Middle grade chapter books are targeted at 9 – 12 years old. Some of my chapter books are targeted at the lower spectrum of MG, and one that I just finished is targeted at the higher spectrum.

Is the vocabulary, tense, person used in chapter books different from stories geared more toward MGers? 

Early reader chapter books use lower level language skills than MG books. Typical tense in young readers is past and 3^rd. In MG, you can use past or present, and 1^st or 3^rd person. 3^rd person omniscient is not advised at either level. Kids just don’t get the whole omniscient pov. I can’t say for sure that there’s a trend for one tense or one point of view. I can say that I love writing in 1^st person. I feel as if I’m the character and I think it brings the reader closer to understanding what the character is going through.

How does a writer approach an agent/publisher with a chapter book or series? Is the query process the same?

A writer should first verify that the agent indeed represents chapter books and that they are accepting queries. A quick check that a publisher accepts unsolicited/unagented queries should also be done. When querying a agent about a series, there is no need to send information about all books. The best is to state that the query is for a book that is first in a series about xxxx (in my case, a boy who is swept into a wallpaper world). I don’t believe that it’s necessary to describe all the books in the series. The first book has to capture the audience’s attention. If it doesn’t, it won’t matter what the other books are about.

How did you get your start as an editor, and can you give advice to any writer thinking of becoming a freelance editor? 

I work for a small press in Michigan, so I’ve got an advantage over other writers who want to become editors. But that doesn’t mean that a writer can’t become an editor. Before I was hired, I took a few refresher courses: Grammar, Fiction Writing Basics, Advanced Fiction Writing. These classes helped me as a writer and as a editor. I would highly recommend any of the fiction classes at http://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/ through Writer’s Digest University.

Fabulous information! Thanks for sharing that link.

Signature Graffiti Wall question: You're stuck on a subway for hours. The passengers want you to tell them a story, but you must use one of these reference materials - a phone book, dictionary, and physical map. Which resource do you use? Give us three items you'd include in that story.

Oh, Lord, you’re going to make me think on my feet (or butt, in this case!). Immediately I’m drawn to the map. Not sure why, but that’s what I’d use. The three things I’d include would be a hockey-player main character (of course) who’s a boy, a fellow teammate, another boy, and finally a rival player who’s a girl. They’d all be traveling, maybe on a train (no, not Harry Potter!) or in chartered buses, and there would be an accident. They’d have to use the map, since they have no phones or cell signals, to get to their destination, maybe State finals.

You have a fabulous BLOG--Adventures That Score. What do you highlight most?

You’re so sweet to say that! Insider Tip: The jerseys, hockey and lacrosse sticks belong to my oldest son. Cool, huh?

I have a mixture of topics that I talk about on the blog, but it’s mostly writing and editing skills. I give a writers’ workshop through the press I work for, and I find that many of the attendees have no clue about story question/problem, point of view, and scene and sequel. If I can help other writers, or at least entertain them once in awhile, then that’s good. I do love to join blogfests. I try to tailor those posts to writing, or my other favorite subject, hockey! J

Tell us a bit about Saving Redwind. 

Saving Redwind is a story that came to me when we first moved into our home. My oldest son’s bedroom was covered in a horrible wallpaper- huge gray and pink flowers. When I say huge, I mean HUGE (like three feet in diameter). As I tore down that wallpaper, I started thinking about a boy who moved into a new house and how the wallpaper sucked him in. I’m not entirely sure I wasn’t under the influence of wallpaper remover fumes, but I can tell it was blistering hot in the room while I worked! Anyway, the story idea rumbled around for a few years –remember, I was writing women’s fiction. When I got the green light to start something new, I soon realized that MG was what I should be writing and this story came back to life. I developed the characters based on people and kids we knew, and I just had to include a hockey element. I’m a pantser, so I had a tentative plan as to how the story would flow. And flow it did. It turned out way longer than I expected! The next book will most likely be 50-60 pages less.

Can you give us a hint as to your next project?

I’ve just finished a story about a hockey team who goes on a team-building camping trip and their team-building activities includes surviving a forest fire. This would be the first in a series with this particular hockey team, so you know they all survive. I’m also working with a screenwriter on a YA book about a boy who learns to play hockey – what a surprise, right? 

Thanks so much for hosting me, Sheri! It’s been a blast answering your really tough questions!

It's been my pleasure!

Interested in Redwind. Here's the official blurb: All eleven-year-old Nick Stevenson wants is an adventure like his dad's. Oh, and for the creepy ceiling in his new bedroom to stop storming and spinning. When he's asked to help save a world that exists inside his bedroom's wallpaper, Nick thinks he's found his very own adventure. But he has no idea it will involve talking rocks, dream-stealing birds, and

becoming friends with wizards. Can Nick save Redwind and his new friends before his mom calls him home for hockey practice?

Find Kris on Facebook and her Website. Purchase Saving Redwind: A Wallpaper Adventure at Createspace and At Amazon.