The Dos & Don’ts of a Query Letter

Do research each agent you send a manuscript to.

Don’t send out a mass email to as many agents as you can.

Do spell the agent's name correctly.

Don’t address your query with the heading, To Whom It May Concern or Dear Agent.

Do check your query for grammar mistakes.

Don’t send out an unedited letter.

Do follow submission guidelines.

Don’t use any crazy gimmicks.

Do tell the agent why you are sending your manuscript to them.

Don’t tell them that it is the next best seller.

Do study other successful query letters.

Don’t be arrogant.

Do put some personality into your letter.

Don’t be unprofessional.

Not Every Idea is a Good Idea—Unfortunately

When it comes to picture books, there are lots of story ideas. But as picture book writers, it is important to learn to discern between a good idea and a not so good idea. But how does one do this? Here are 5 authors and their tips on how to do just that.

1)Kate Messner says to write more. “Write something else. Something new. Write more. Because if you’re anything like me, you may have to skip a lot of stones before you get it just right.” Read more of her blog post here. I highly recommend it.

2)Josh Funk says that some ideas don’t work, and that’s ok. “Just grab your notebook and find another one.” Read his blog post here.

3)Tammi Sauer says to start with the title. “For me, the absolute hardest part about the picture book creating process is coming up with a good idea. A wow idea. An irresistible-to-editors idea. One approach that has worked for me is to brainstorm a list of potential titles before I even know a single word of a manuscript.” Read the entire article here.

4)Kelly DiPucchio says to relax. “One thing I have learned is that you can’t force inspiration. You need to relax, go about life, and trust that new ideas will emerge when the time is right.” Read her entire answer here.

5)Tom Litchenheld uses photographs of kids. “For inspiration, I have a bunch of photos of kids on my wall. Whenever I'm stuck for an idea, I look at one of those photographs and think to myself, ‘What would make THAT kid laugh?’” Read more here.

Looks like there are many different ways to find that good idea.

Imagination and Words

These are two things every writer needs … in abundance

Treasure Trove of Words

The library is a treasure trove of words. My kids and I frequent this place as we try to find as many treasures as we can. Sometimes we get lucky and find so many treasures that we can hardly carry them in our arms (that is when we use the baby’s car seat). And on those occasions, we come home and enjoy our loot. We sit on the couch and neglect everything else. Toys are not played with, bikes are not ridden, TV is not watched, and dinner is not made. But we don’t care. We have found amazing, wonderful, beautiful books, and that truly is something to treasure.

Ideas

Ideas for picture books really do come from all different places.  I just got an idea from the design on my daughter's blanket.  Who knew? 

Where Do Authors get their ideas?

Ever wonder where authors get some of their spectacular ideas for picture books? I do. So I have compiled a list of authors and where they got those winning ideas.

Kelly DiPucchio, author of Zombie in Love, said she got her idea from her editor who “had the title Zombie Valentines stuck in her head.” Read the full interview here.

Tammi Sauer said finding good ideas is hard. “Crazy hard.” She even said it took her over a year to come up with the idea for Me Want Pet! She finally got her ah-ha moment in the PetSmart parking lot. I guess one never knows when the best ideas will strike. Read the full interview here.

Amy Krouse Rosenthal came up with the idea for the book, Exclamation Mark, when a thought flashed through her mind: “my son is an exclamation mark.” Wow. Read the full interview here.

Bob Shea came up with the idea for his book, Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great, when he was on his way to his son’s soccer practice. He saw some goats in a yard. It was unusual, and got him thinking. Read the full interview here.

Zachariah OHora got the idea for his book, No Fits Nilson, from his son who was in the middle of his terrible twos and threes. He said it was “like wrestling a gorilla out of the supermarket, that lead to the creation of Nilson the gorilla.” Read the full interview here.

Looks like winning ideas for picture books come from all different places.

Why the Bathtub is My Writing Friend

As a mother of young children, finding time to write can often be a difficult and impossible task. That is why one must be creative in order to get creative. I have found that the bathtub is just the thing for me. My son loves the bath. So much so, that he will often stay in there for over an hour. Now you might think that I would use this time to clean the pile of dishes in the sink. Nope. Or maybe I would tackle that pile of wrinkled laundry that has been sitting in the basket for a week. Nope. Or maybe I would take the time to actually mop the floors. Wrong again. I use that time to write. The dishes can wait. The laundry can acquire more wrinkles. And clean floors are overrated. But time by myself to write, that is precious; and I have to take advantage of every opportunity I get.