Review: Just Right – Searching for the Goldilocks Planet
I have a bit of an infatuation with nonfiction picture books. Yes, I love them, but infatuation implies a sense of distance, of something out of reach. At this point, writing a nonfiction picture book feels out of my reach. In a good way–yes, someday I might write one–but for now I get to experience that […]
Peace & Quiet, Plus Family, Food, and D & D
Just got back from a few lovely days of vacation, in one of the most restful places I’ve been. We traveled North to Oregon and stopped about an hour from Bend, outside the little town of Sisters. We picked up our son on the way and met up with my siblings and their families, plus […]
Review: The Remember Balloons
I don’t remember why I put The Remember Balloons on my to-read list. I’m very glad I did, though. The book, written by Jessie Oliveros and illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte, is a lovely story that does an absolutely beautiful job depicting the magic relationship that can exist between a child and their grandparent, what it looks like […]
Knit-Thinking
Knit-thinking is what I’m calling my writing sessions during which I use yarn to get me away from my actual computer, making brain-room for actually brainstorming ideas about whatever isn’t working in a WIP. For years, I’ve heard other writers talk about the activities they do to clear their head so their minds can wander […]
A List of Books I Couldn’t Find
Yesterday, I went book shopping. I went to one of my favorite stores, where they are wonderful and helpful and where I almost always find something I haven’t seen that looks like something I want to read. I was looking for a book to give as a gift. But it’s not a big store, and they […]
Better Questions This Time Around
I’ve pretty much spent the last year in picture-book revision mode–before the Big Sur workshop to get ready and after the workshop to integrate the feedback I got. I’m sending these stories through my new critique group and then using their comments for yet more revision. But, as I submit to the group and wait […]
KidLit Craft: Elements of a Picture Book
Aimee Haburjak and Kristi Wright wrote a post over at KidLit Craft that presents a nice, detailed breakdown of the picture book elements they found Wordy Birdy (written by Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Dave Mottram. Check out the post here.
Keith Negley’s MARY WEARS WHAT SHE WANTS
I love good nonfiction picture books, but I don’t purchase a lot of them–I’m writing fiction, and so most of my book budget goes toward good examples of that genre. Every now and then, though, I come across a nonfiction book I can’t leave at the store. Keith Negley’s Mary Wears What She Wants was […]
A Cookie Would Be Nice
First you decide it’s time to do “a little bit” with your website. You look through a few templates and browse some pictures. Then, of course, you find the picture you want, but can’t find a template where the picture will fit. And once you manage to do that, then you are faced with what […]
Playing with Wonder
Kristi Wright posted this blog entry at KidLitCraft a few weeks ago, and the idea of wonder has apparently been simmering in my brain since then. I’m going back to a picture book idea I had just begun to play with in December, when I went to the Big Sur Writing Workshop. During the revise […]
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