The 8th Annual Idaho Conference on Youth and Children's Literature and Writing

In April, I had the amazing opportunity to attend the 8th Annual Idaho Conference on Youth and Children’s Literature and Writing. It is the annual conference for the SCBWI-Utah/Southern Idaho region. I loved having an entire day to immerse myself in all aspects of writing. There were fabulous speakers, guests, and attendants. I learned so many things, and I am glad I had the opportunity to attend.

One of my favorite speakers from the conference was Harold Underdown. I have frequented his website in the past, but to have the chance to hear him speak live was wonderful. His keynote talk was all about the top 10 things we need to know about children’s publishing. He covered things from market and social media, to craft and trends. It was all very fascinating, and I loved hearing his take on everything.

I also got the opportunity to do a revision intensive with him. In this 2 hour block, I, along with the other attendees, got a condensed version of what he does in his week-long workshop for Highlights. We learned how to approach our writing as an editor would. It was very informative, and gave us all better ideas on how to write and revise. One of the things he said that I really liked, was: “Revision is a re-vision.” I think this a great way to see why revision is important. It helps one get the best out of their manuscript. He also taught us tips, tricks, and useful ideas that I am excited to apply to my manuscripts.

Another great speaker that I was excited to learn from, was Angela Ruth Strong. Although she does not write picture books, she did a workshop on humor. She gave us different approaches she uses to make her manuscripts funnier. She talked about giving your character quirks, using different points of view, putting your character in silly situations, and doing something the reader is not expecting. Not only did I laugh a lot during her presentation, but I also learned many great tips and ideas for bringing out the humor in my writing.

The last speaker that I greatly enjoyed learning from was N. D. Wilson. He did two different presentations, and I found them both enlightening. In the first one, he focused on the power of concrete description. He talked about the importance of using the five senses to draw the reader in. He also talked about being an observer of the world, and then put those observations into words. It was fascinating to listen to him.
In his second presentation, he talked about how words are physical. He explained to us that words are physical objects that hit you and give you a reaction. We as writers have to choose the words we use carefully, to elicit a response from the reader. He also talked about how a writer has to be a lover of words, which is very true.

All in all, I greatly enjoyed my time at the conference this year. I learned a lot, I met new people, and I found things I can take and apply to my writing. It was a beneficial experience, and I am glad that I went.

Online Opportunities

There are so many opportunities for writers online. There are groups, challenges, webinars, classes, and the list goes on. There are free opportunities, and paid opportunities. There is something for every writer, one only has to look and decide what is right and beneficial for them.

I, personally, happen to love all the opportunities available online. I try to take advantage of as many as I can. Time permitting. I feel like I learn so much from the various writing groups I am a part of, and the different challenges that I participate in.

One such challenge just finished in March: ReFoReMo. This challenge is all about using picture books as mentor texts to better improve our own writing. I love this type of challenge, because this is an important part of my writing. I always use mentor texts when writing a specific manuscript. I also feel that reading in the genre you want to write in will make you a better writer. ReFoReMo is fun, because not only are we challenged to read picture books every day, but we also get guest posts by authors, illustrators, editors, and other people in the picture book industry. I love learning from others. I felt the guest posts were filled with information writers can use and apply to their own writing.

But I have yet to tell you the best part of participating this year. I won one of the prizes. Since I read picture books every day, and commented on all the posts, I was randomly selected to win the online course: Art of Arc from Alayne Kay Christian. I am very excited about this prize. It is yet another online opportunity for me to learn and grow as a writer.

So what are you waiting for? Go online, and find the next opportunity for you.

Opportunities

I had the opportunity to attend a picture book workshop last Saturday. It was put on by local illustrator, Joseph Cowman. Even though I am not an illustrator, it was wonderful to have the chance to learn from one. As a picture book writer, I have to leave room in my writing for the illustrator to illustrate. That is why I was so excited to attend this workshop. I had the opportunity to learn more about the illustration process, and how the illustrator goes about illustrating a picture book. I also got to ask questions at the end, which I found very beneficial.

I’m glad that my local SCBWI provided this opportunity. There are so many opportunities to learn in this industry. You just have to take the time to find them. And if there are not as many opportunities where you live, there are many great online options. I have joined numerous online groups and challenges that have given me insight and knowledge. It has also given me the opportunity to meet picture book writers from all over. It’s fun to make connections with people you might have not otherwise met. But the very best thing that I have gained from joining online groups, is that I have had the opportunity to learn from picture book authors and ask them direct questions. This has really helped me to better understand picture books and how to write them.

I highly recommend seeking out and finding opportunities for your writing. Whether online or in person or both, you will be so glad you did. You will be able to learn, grow, and gain new insights. The connections and knowledge you obtain will be invaluable. Take the time. You won’t regret it.

Reading is Magic

Reading to children is magic. Together, with a book, we can discover new and exciting things. We can swim with sharks, sail across oceans, go to outer space, discover dinosaurs, uncover monsters, laugh until our sides hurt, and learn about things we’ve never seen before. The possibilities are endless. All it takes is one word, one page, one book at a time.

Lately, my daughter and I have been immersed in the magic of Harry Potter. Each night we sit down and read a chapter (or two or three if my daughter can help it). It is fun sharing this with her. She gets so excited each night. She cannot wait to see what happens next. And every night she gets to discover something new about wizards and witches, wands and spells, broomsticks and flying, potions and cauldrons, castles and sorting hats, and so much more. Without books, this would not be possible. We would not be able to share this experience together. She would know nothing of this exciting and magical world.

I am glad that there are so many good books. I love that all I have to do is open one, and my children and I can be taken to a place we have never been before. Or we can open a book and revisit a place we love again and again. There is no limit to the places we can go, or the things we can see. Reading really is its own kind of magic.

Cumulative Picture Books

I had the chance to go to my son’s classroom again this week, and teach more about writing and picture books. This time I taught them about the cumulative picture book structure. Cumulative stories add repeating elements as the story progresses. When a new event occurs in the story, the previous events are repeated. Basically, the plot builds on itself. These stories can rhyme, but they do not have to.

The kids really enjoyed the cumulative stories. We read: THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY by Lucille Colandro, and THERE WAS AN OLD MONKEY WHO SWALLOWED A FROG by Jennifer Ward. We then had an activity where the kids created their own cumulative stories. It was so much fun, and the kids really enjoyed it. There were a lot of giggles and smiles. And they were so creative. They came up with many unique ideas. Leave it to a kid to come up with the silliest and most outrageous concepts. That is exactly why writers need to think like a kid. That’s when creativity is at its best.

I am so happy that I get this chance to teach these children. I love being around them. I love their energy and excitement. I love how much they love books and writing. I love their zest to learn anything new. And I love that they love picture books as much as I do.

Share the Love of Picture Books

I had the opportunity to go to my son’s classroom and talk, read, and teach about picture books. It was a lot of fun. His teacher even loved it so much that she asked me to come back twice a month. I am excited. I love picture books, and getting to share that love with children is the best. There is nothing like seeing a child’s eyes light up when they hear a story for the first time. Or the excitement they have when they see a book they love. Kids make books magical. They are the reason I write. I am grateful that I get to share this love of picture books with my son’s class.

Books

Look what I got for Christmas.