by Tammi Sauer
When Tara asked me to contribute a post to PiBoIdMo 2009 I was honored. And, truth be told, scared. For me, getting a Really Good Idea is hard. Crazy hard. How could I possibly offer idea-getting strategies to others when I felt this was the toughest of all the writing challenges?
Well, that November I wrote the blog post. I also pushed myself to come up with 30 ideas. Whew. Wasn’t easy. It took me every bit of that entire month to get those 30 possibilities on paper. Most of those ideas were tiny snippits. A character. A title. A phrase.
One of those snippits, however, seemed as if it might have potential. Nugget and Fang. I thought the unlikely best friendship between a minnow and a shark might have the makings for a story. I brainstormed. I jotted down a first draft. And a second draft. And a third draft. With each draft the story got a little tighter, the word choice got a little better, and the humor got a little stronger. But I never really got that YES feeling from the manuscript. So…I put it away for a few months. Then I wrote a fourth draft. And a fifth draft. And I put it away for a year.
Then, in March 2011, my week to submit something to my critique group came around. I had recently finished my latest manuscript and I needed SOMETHING to send the oh-so-awesome PBJeebies. So I dug through my files. And found two old friends. Nugget and Fang. I read the most recent version. Then I revised. And revised. And revised some more. I started to get excited.
I sent the manuscript to the PBJeebies, and they pushed me to revise the manuscript a little more. That YES feeling came around. I shared the manuscript with my agent.
These are my favorite three sentences from her response:
“I absolutely love this manuscript! It’s hilarious, original, and wonderfully paced—with totally fun illustration possibilities. Yay!”
Oh, happiness! Oh, time-to-print-out-that-message-and-tape-it-to-my-computer!
The manuscript went Out There.
Months went by. Then I got the call. And I got ANOTHER call.
Two fabulous houses were interested.
After much careful consideration, I decided Nugget and Fang belonged at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Nugget and Fang is scheduled for a Summer 2013 release. I’m hoping it makes a really big splash.
Tammi Sauer, who owes an ocean-sized thanks to Tara Lazar.
Tara’s Note: Aww, shucks. I owe big thanks to you for being such a great role model!
87 comments
Comments feed for this article
December 4, 2011 at 12:19 am
Sharon K. Mayhew (@skmayh)
See, this is why Tammi is my PB hero! Congratulations on another sale, Tammi! 😀
December 4, 2011 at 10:30 am
Tammi Sauer
Sharon, you are the greatest. 🙂 Thanks!
December 4, 2011 at 12:25 am
Lori Grusin Degman
Congratulations on the sale and thanks so much for the inspiration!!
December 4, 2011 at 10:31 am
Tammi Sauer
Thank you. 🙂
December 4, 2011 at 1:06 am
tinamcho
Thanks for sharing your story! Very inspiring and congratulations!
December 4, 2011 at 10:33 am
Tammi Sauer
Thanks! 🙂
December 4, 2011 at 1:07 am
Tim McCanna
Great post, Tammi. My kids and I recently added “Monsterly” to our PB home collection. Thanks for the inspiring words.
December 4, 2011 at 10:32 am
Tammi Sauer
Yay! Happy to hear Bernadette’s made an appearance at your home. 🙂
December 4, 2011 at 2:56 am
smmorris
Congratulations!
December 4, 2011 at 10:54 am
Tammi Sauer
🙂
December 4, 2011 at 3:15 am
Loni Edwards
Such an inspirational post. Congratulations Tammi!
December 4, 2011 at 10:47 am
Tammi Sauer
Glad you liked it. Thanks!
December 4, 2011 at 5:03 am
Mona Pease
Thanks for the post Tammi. Gets us all thinking that maybe we each have a “Nugget” tucked in out PiBo…notebooks.
Congratulations to you too!
December 4, 2011 at 10:37 am
Tammi Sauer
Yup. Sometimes you have to do a little digging to uncover the nuggets. 🙂
December 4, 2011 at 7:53 am
Donna Martin
I see three things I need to remember from your post, Tammi.
1. Consider all PB ideas as possibilities.
2. Most good manuscripts need several revisions to make them shine.
3. Learn to have faith as well as patience when bringing your stories to the world.
Thanks for the lessons…now to apply it to my own work!
December 4, 2011 at 10:36 am
Tammi Sauer
4. Never underestimate the beauty of a fabulous critique group that pushes you to make a good thing great. 🙂
December 4, 2011 at 9:34 pm
Donna Martin
So true! The comments that I have gotten from critique groups I am in have been priceless! It gave me insight into how I needed to look at my work with a fresh set of eyes and gives me opportunities to keep growing as a writer!
December 4, 2011 at 8:00 am
Catherine Johnson
What a wonderfully inspiring story. Congrats, Tammi. Nugget and Fang sounds fabulous!
December 4, 2011 at 10:47 am
Tammi Sauer
Thank you so much! 🙂
December 4, 2011 at 9:00 am
Sheri Dillard
Yay, Tammi! Thanks for sharing your PiBoIdMo snippet-success! Wow, it’s hard to believe that you have trouble finding ideas — your PBs are all so wonderfully fun and creative! 🙂 Congrats on your latest sale!
December 4, 2011 at 10:46 am
Tammi Sauer
Finding okay ideas is easy. It’s coming up with the Really Good Ideas that’s the hard part. Plus, there’s the added realization that whatever I’m working on now has to be AT LEAST as good as the last thing I sold.
Cue Queen’s “Under Pressure.” 🙂
December 4, 2011 at 9:29 am
Jennifer DuBose
Oh yes, getting that YES feeling is key! Thanks for putting that into words. That’s what I’m after. I am so inspired by your PoBoIdMo success story I can hardly stand it! Back to work on my shiniest new idea …
December 4, 2011 at 10:49 am
Tammi Sauer
Wonderful!
The YES feeling hit last week. I sent the ms to my agent and she was all for it. Now I worry and wonder and hope the editor goes for the ms and gives a YES of her own.
December 4, 2011 at 9:42 am
elizabethannewrites
Wow, what a great success story, and what great inspiration for us! I can hardly wait to be able to read Nugget and Fang! Gee… what can I do while I wait all those months. Hmmm…. polish some of my own nuggets!!!
December 4, 2011 at 10:53 am
Tammi Sauer
Yes! Polish! Polish! Polish!
Even though it’s so tempting to send out a manuscript right away, make sure it’s as irresistible as possible first.
December 4, 2011 at 10:03 am
Lynn
This was an encouraging message, thank you, Tammi. I know a few of the ideas I have that could become something need A LOT of work.
December 4, 2011 at 10:52 am
Tammi Sauer
I think that’s the fun part. Good luck!
December 4, 2011 at 10:12 am
Robyn Campbell
Oh so inspiring. Never give up on a story. Nugget and Fang sounds like a truly wonderful book. I cannot wait to read it. *waving*
December 4, 2011 at 10:52 am
Tammi Sauer
You are very sweet. But trust me. Plenty of my stories were give-up-able. But I don’t consider them a waste of time or energy. I think of them as practice stories. Just like you have to practice to get good at playing a sport or an instrument, you have to PRACTICE to get good at writing, too.
With Nugget and Fang, I always knew SOMETHING was there. It just took me a while to uncover it.
December 4, 2011 at 11:23 am
Kristin Gray
I will not cry. I will not cry. 😉
December 4, 2011 at 10:53 am
Jennifer Kirkeby
Congratulations, Tammi! I love your work, btw. We have the same sense of humor. 😉 All the best on your future endeavors!
December 4, 2011 at 10:55 am
Tammi Sauer
Thanks, Jennifer. 🙂 Funny pbs are my favorite kind to read so those are the ones I loooooooove to write.
December 4, 2011 at 10:53 am
Sue Heavenrich
Thanks, Tammi. Your story inspires me to just keep with it. I can’t wait to read Nugget and Fang!
December 4, 2011 at 10:56 am
Tammi Sauer
Best of luck, Sue!
December 4, 2011 at 11:22 am
Brenda Reeves Sturgis
So inspirational, what a great post.
December 4, 2011 at 12:36 pm
Tammi Sauer
Thanks, Brenda. 🙂
December 4, 2011 at 11:22 am
Kristin Gray
*High fins* all around! 😀
December 4, 2011 at 12:36 pm
Tammi Sauer
Ha! Fang-you. Fang-you very much.
December 4, 2011 at 12:16 pm
Wendy Greenley
Great post. JW-does your critique group meet face to face or is it online? I have a problem finding the “yes.” In high school I played Ado Annie in Oklahoma and I’m still the girl who can’t say no (to an idea that is!).
December 4, 2011 at 12:40 pm
Tammi Sauer
My crit group is online. Which is probably a good thing since we live all over the nation. 🙂 The PBJeebies are FABULOUS.
I also have a crit partner who has grown to become one of my Best Friends Ever.
I also sometimes do ms exchanges with some of my amazing published pb writing friends. It’s always good to have a fresh set of eyes on a ms before you send it Out There.
December 4, 2011 at 12:17 pm
Bonnie Adamson
You had me at “Nugget and Fang”–that’s one I would pick up for the title alone! 😀
Your books seem so effortless that we fans are apt to think you simply wave a magic wand–thanks for the reminder that even the best work hard at this.
Congratulations on another “YES!”
December 4, 2011 at 12:33 pm
Tammi Sauer
Ha! Thanks, Bonnie. 🙂 The trick is to always make the story look effortless. The true effort is in all the behind-the-scenes stuff.
December 4, 2011 at 12:23 pm
Beth MacKinney
I love your success story, Tammi, and I can’t wait to read your book when it rolls off the presses.
: ) Beth
December 4, 2011 at 12:34 pm
Tammi Sauer
Thank you, Beth. 🙂
December 4, 2011 at 12:25 pm
Corey Schwartz
Oh, yay! What an awesome story!!!
December 4, 2011 at 12:35 pm
Tammi Sauer
And I can’t wait to read YOUR PiBoIdMo success…have they scheduled Goldirocks’ pub date yet?
December 4, 2011 at 12:37 pm
Kerry Aradhya
Yeah, Tammi! What a great success story. Will be looking for the book on the book shelves when it’s out there! Also, I like the idea of having a certain week for each person in your critique group. Good idea for making sure everyone gets equal time to have their work reviewed!
December 4, 2011 at 12:44 pm
Tammi Sauer
Thanks. Each of us has a designated week. I am “Second Tuesday of the Month Girl” myself. 🙂
On the second Tuesday of every month, I sub a ms or I ask for brainstorming help if I am in the very beginning stages of a ms. The group has until the next Monday to get back to me. Usually, someone will come in with comments fairly early in the week. I then tweak the ms based on the comments I agree with and ask the other PBJeebies to look at the newly tweaked ms.
December 4, 2011 at 12:46 pm
Jennifer Rumberger
Tammi – You’re story is so inspiring! It just show the perseverance and patience that writers need. Your new book sounds great! My son and I checked two of your books out from the library yesterday. Planning to read them today. Can’t wait!
December 4, 2011 at 1:25 pm
Tammi Sauer
Yay! Happy reading. 🙂
December 4, 2011 at 3:48 pm
Romelle Guittap
I love success stories! It’s inspiring. I’m waiting patiently (while writing) for my success story. Congratulations, Tammi!
December 4, 2011 at 4:39 pm
Tammi Sauer
Congratulations to you, too! I skimmed through some of your blog and saw that you received an SCBWI Letter of Merit. Hooray! 🙂
December 4, 2011 at 4:11 pm
Jarm Del Boccio
Thanks, Tammi, for sharing your journey with us…it will encourage me to press on! And I’ll be looking for your book when it becomes available….
December 4, 2011 at 4:43 pm
Tammi Sauer
Thanks, Jarm. Yes, pressing on is the best thing we can do. Good luck!
December 4, 2011 at 5:32 pm
Patricia Tilton
Tammi – You are truly an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your journey. Congratulations on your upcoming publications!
December 4, 2011 at 10:33 pm
Tammi Sauer
Thanks, Patricia. 🙂
December 4, 2011 at 7:03 pm
Katy Duffield
What a great story! Thanks for sharing it!
December 4, 2011 at 10:34 pm
Tammi Sauer
Thanks, Katy! 🙂
December 4, 2011 at 7:17 pm
Jodi Moore
Love the idea, love the title – already love the characters! Thanks so much for all of your inspiration, Tammi! Can’t wait to get my hands (flippers?) on this one! Major congratulations! And you’re right, we all owe a ton of thanks to Tara as well! Hugs to you both!!! 🙂
December 4, 2011 at 10:35 pm
Tammi Sauer
You are always so sweet and encouraging. I wish you continued success with that dragon of yours. 🙂
December 4, 2011 at 7:20 pm
Bonita Herold
Wonderfully inspirational!
December 4, 2011 at 7:33 pm
Stephanie Shaw
Tammi, congratulations on what I expect is going to be another great book from you! Your blog comes at a wonderful time for me — just two days ago I also took a manuscript out of the marinade and sent it to my critique group. You have given me hope. Thanks so much!
December 4, 2011 at 10:37 pm
Tammi Sauer
Hooray! I hope they point out lots of good stuff then push you to make that ms even stronger.
December 4, 2011 at 8:19 pm
Lori Mozdzierz
Inspiring success story, Tammi ;D Thanks for sharing!
December 4, 2011 at 10:38 pm
Tammi Sauer
You’re welcome!
December 4, 2011 at 8:40 pm
thiskidreviewsbooks
Cool Story!!
December 4, 2011 at 10:39 pm
Tammi Sauer
Thanks, Erik!
December 4, 2011 at 11:19 pm
Janet O'Neil
Congratulations, Tammi! You give a girl hope. 😉
December 5, 2011 at 10:22 am
Tammi Sauer
Well, good! 🙂
December 5, 2011 at 2:17 am
Véronique Robigou
Tammi, congratulations for the book and its birth and evolution story to publication!
You give all of us, new comers, hope in this crazy world of writing/illustrating for kids hope. so, may be our crazy ideas and hard work will also turn out into books that are actually read by lots of kids.
December 5, 2011 at 10:23 am
Tammi Sauer
Thank you, Véronique! 🙂
December 5, 2011 at 8:18 am
Jessica Young
Yay for NUGGET AND FANG – can’t wait to see the final version! And thanks for the inspiration – perseverance pays off!
December 5, 2011 at 10:24 am
Tammi Sauer
Thank YOU for your PBJeebie awesomeness. 🙂
December 5, 2011 at 8:40 am
Penny Klostermann
Thanks for the encouraging post! Funny PBs are my favorite, too. I have read all of your books several times. I felt so lucky to be able to listen to you when you spoke at the Texas: North Central/Northeast SCBWI conference in October. I couldn’t write fast enough to get down all the relevant tips you gave to us! Congratulations on your success.
December 5, 2011 at 10:25 am
Tammi Sauer
Thanks, Penny. I loooooved being a part of your conference.
Happy writing!
December 5, 2011 at 9:09 am
Kathleen Cornell Berman
Thanks for sharing your experience. I love when you said; ” I revised and revised. I started to get excited.” That is the best. I love that feeling after revising a manuscript so many times, and you still get that excited, giddy
feeling when everything is finally clicking. Good luck with your new book, can’t wait to read it!
December 5, 2011 at 10:26 am
Tammi Sauer
Yeah, that excited, giddy feeling is pretty unbeatable. 🙂
December 5, 2011 at 12:47 pm
Sandi Hershenson
Congratulations Tammi! That ‘YES’ feeling is pretty great!
December 5, 2011 at 11:32 pm
tammi sauer
Thanks! I try to hold back from sending out a manuscript until I have that ‘YES’ feeling.
December 5, 2011 at 3:38 pm
sabrina
Thanks Tammi for your post ! It’s great to see how stories evolve within us and over time, can suddenly grow out to something we feel really proud of. Me too I feel that without others having pushed me to take my story one step further, I would have never gotten so far…. The writing community rocks 🙂
and the picture book list of need-to-buys is growing and growing…. 🙂
December 5, 2011 at 11:34 pm
Tammi Sauer
The right critique group is GOLD. 🙂
December 6, 2011 at 9:17 am
Marcy P.
Thanks for the inspiration! I’ve been sending some PiBoIdMo manuscripts from last year but no “bites” yet 🙂 So glad yours did! Encouraged to keep it up! And can’t wait to see your gem! 🙂
December 6, 2011 at 1:01 pm
Tammi Sauer
Best of luck! 🙂
December 6, 2011 at 9:51 am
julesmae
Fantastic post 🙂 That’s great news, congrats!
December 6, 2011 at 1:00 pm
Tammi Sauer
Thank you, Jules!
December 7, 2011 at 5:58 am
Dana Carey
Hi Tammi! What a great story–all that tension and build up to the happy ending. Congrats. And thanks for sharing so honestly. It’s good to know that struggling to find ideas and revision revision revision are part and parcel of the process for everyone…
December 7, 2011 at 8:06 am
Tammi Sauer
All that effort makes the YES feel even bigger once it comes around. 🙂