Elementary Books by SCBWI Carolinas Writers

Writers attending the SCBWI Carolinas fall conference are asked to bring a book for the book basket. Each year, our chapter showers an elementary school with books. In case you haven't picked one yet, here are some written or illustrated by our fellow members.

TEACHING THE STORY: FICTION WRITING IN GRADES 4-8 written by Carol Baldwin. Published by Maupin House, 2007. (1 copy will be in the basket)

AROUND OUR WAY ON NEIGHBORS' DAY written by Tameka Fryer Brown. Illustrated by Charlotte Riley-Webb. Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2010. (1 copy will be in the basket)

ISLAND STING written by Bonnie J. Doerr. Illustrated by Joanna Britt & Laurie Edwards. Published by Leap Books, 2009.

STATE OF WILDERNESS, STATE OF QUARRIES, and STATE OF RESERVATIONS written by Elysabeth Eldering. Published by 4RV Publishing, 2008, 2009, & 2010. Can be ordered from http://jgdsseries.weebly.com/.

BRAVE DONATELLA AND THE JASMINE THIEF written by Caroline McAlister. Illustrated by Donald Hendricks. Published by Charlesbridge, 2010.

THE PROMISE written by Maureen Crane Wartski. Published by Perfection Learning, 2003.

Pop Rocks Prize Pack Winner

The winner of the Pop Rocks prize pack was Elaine DeFoe! Congratulations, and thanks for sharing a favorite songwriter with us.

A big thank you to everyone who shared their favorites. You built a fun list for us to check out.

Songwriters and Other Magical Storytellers

I love good storytellers. They suck you out of your own world and into another. They're magical, and when we pay attention, we can learn some of their tricks.

Some of my favorite storytellers are songwriters. I use them to set the stage for my writing process. Christine Kane's Wide Awake cd (especially tracks 1, 3, and 5) pumps me up to dream big and make it happen. Tom Petty's "Runnin' Down a Dream" inspires me to send out submissions, and his song "The Waiting" relaxes me as I check and recheck my inbox and mailbox hoping to hear good news. Other favorite songwriters of mine are Don Henley, Steve Seskin, and Jimmy Buffet.

What songwriters do you love? Leave a comment about them and on Wednesday, September 22 one name will be drawn to win a Margaritaville guitar pick, a Post-it Flag Highlighter, and some Pop Rocks. Not a ten page critique, mind you, but I bet it will make you smile!

Remember, leave your Twitter name or email address if I can't find it through your blog account. I will only mail the prize to a U.S. address. Good luck, and thanks for sharing.

What Kind of Writer Mama Are You?

This morning I watched a mom being interviewed about her daughter's incarceration and trip to rehab. Every time she was asked a question about her daughter's behavior and whether or not it would change, the mom skirted the question by pointing out something someone else did wrong.

How are kids supposed to learn and improve, if the parent refuses to look at what needs work?

This applies to writers too. We birth our manuscripts after long labors. Our stories are our babies. It's hard to hear negative things about them, but we must. If we don't listen, we'll keep making the same mistakes. We need an outsider's opinion on our beloved creations.

I love my critique group. There are seven of us, and everyone brings something different to the table. When it's my turn to submit, I squirm, because if my story is trite, they will tell me. The feedback is not to be mean. We encourage and celebrate with each other too. But each member wants the others to grow, improve, and send out their best work. If I am submitting a manuscript to an agent or editor, you can be sure my critique group has seen it first.

So, manuscript mamas, who do you trust to lovingly tell you what needs work? A critique group? Beta readers? Your mother-in-law? How has your writing improved because of the criticism of others?

Many Hats and a Great Resource for Writers & Illustrators

I wear lots of hats. I’m a mom, a wife, a children’s book writer, a freelancer, a Sunday School teacher, the list goes on. One hat I wear is related to the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators. SCBWI is a fabulous national organization that helps newbies and gurus learn and network. I am the Online Networking Coordinator (ONC) for the Carolinas chapter. One my responsibilities is writing a column for the Pen and Palette, their quarterly publication.

The Pen and Palette is a great resource, and you can download it free. The artwork is beautiful, thanks to talented contributors from our chapter and art director Bonnie Adamson. Our editor, Rebecca Petruck, puts together informative and entertaining issues full of advice and opportunities. If it sounds like I’m bragging, it’s because I am. It’s a great publication, and I’m proud to be a part of it. I’ve added a link to the Pen and Palette at the bottom of this post and on the side of my blog. Check it out and let me know what you think.

My column, Caught in the Web, focuses on online networking. Make sure you come back for the Fall 2010 issue to read my interview with agent Natalie Fischer. She shared great information about what she hopes to find and not find when she looks up potential clients.

http://www.scbwicarolinas.org/scbwi-carolinas/pen-palette.html

Paying Agents?

As I write this, there is a passionate discussion taking place on twitter under the hashtag of #agentpay. Colleen Lindsay brought up the topic of what would it be like if, instead of working off of commission, agents billed writers by the hour.

I won't lie. This hypothetical proposal scares me, not because I don't think agents would be worth what they would pull in, but because many of us would not be able to pay them for all those hours.

How many writers would have to venture out into the world of slush without agents because they couldn't afford the billable rates?

Those of you with agents and those of you without, comment and share how the "what if" would play into your decision to seek representation.

Top 10 Things Writers Should Try Instead of a Pity Party

10. Read Debbie Ridpath Ohi’s blog posts on famous authors’ experiences with rejections. http://www.inkygirl.com/category/debbie/rejections/

9. Celebrate others’ success stories. This is not a beauty pageant. More than one person can win. Cheer on others, and daydream you are next.

8. Step away from the computer. Try a Zumba class. Go on a walk. Get some fresh air instead of overloading on everyone’s virtual updates.

7. Be thankful. Sometimes even grown ups get a case of the gimmies. Make a list of goals you’ve accomplished. Be proud of yourself.

6. Help someone else. Volunteer at a school, a soup kitchen, or animal shelter. It’s easy to lose perspective on needs versus wants.

5. In the words of Dory from Finding Nemo, “Just keep swimming…” Keep writing. Keep revising. Keep submitting.

4. Find some fun. Paint your toenails a funky color. Meet a friend for a night of bad karaoke.

3. Set goals. Big goals. Little goals. Give yourself deadlines and find people to hold you accountable.

2. Think of setbacks as part of your story. Every main character has to overcome obstacles. Turn the page. Keep going. It’s the only way to get to your happy ending.

What do you think the #1 thing to do instead of having a pity party is? Tell us in the comment section. And if you can’t inspire us, at least make us giggle!