You are currently browsing the monthly archive for December 2019.
Registration for Storystorm 2020 is now closed.
You can still join in the fun if you’re not registered, but you won’t be eligible for prizes.
Read the daily posts and jot down an idea! That’s all there is to it!
Have fun creating!
Every year when STORYSTORM rolls around, I struggle to find a theme for the registration post…so I go looking for good GIFs.
OK, I think Modern Family wins this year. It’s my family’s favorite show, so why not?
Every year I think there is no way I can pull this off again.
And every year, it somehow comes together as if by magic!
It’s quite astounding, really.
I’m not a super-organized kind of person. In writing terms, I’m quite the pantser, although over the years I’ve become a deliberately procrastinating pantser. What does that even mean? I let my ideas marinate, simmer—maybe even fester—until I feel ready to write, until I have a pretty good idea of how it should all go down.
And then it works out, kind of like this:
So that’s what my process feels like, and I’ve come to trust it, bonks on the head and all.
So this STORYSTORM, I encourage you to not only create one new story idea a day, but I also challenge you to learn about your creative process. Knowing your process is an important part of this whole crazy world of writing for children. Honoring that process is what has worked for countless other writers.
(You’ll notice the process includes changing course—or changing sitcom families—when necessary.)
So hello and welcome to STORYSTORM 2020!
Three years ago I changed the name and month of my annual writing challenge, from Picture Book Idea Month (PiBoIdMo) to STORYSTORM. Why? Answer’s here.
Any writer interested in brainstorming new story ideas in January is invited to join the STORYSTORM challenge of 30 ideas in 31 days. Any genre, any style; student, amateur, hobbyist, aspiring author or professional.
How does STORYSTORM work? It’s simple…
- Register.
- Read daily posts.
- Write down story ideas.
- That’s pretty much it.
At the end of January if you have at least 30 new ideas, you can sign the STORYSTORM PLEDGE and be eligible for PRIZES.
So are you ready? Follow these steps:
- Register ON THIS BLOG POST by signing your name ONCE in the comments below. Full name, nickname, whatever name you want to use for the entire event.
- Teachers participating with a class can register under the teacher’s name.
- Please leave ONE comment ONLY. Do not reply to say “hi” to a friend. Do not comment to fix a mistake. ONE COMMENT. Don’t worry if it isn’t perfect.
Registering makes you eligible for prizes.
Visit this blog daily (taralazar.com) in January for inspirational essays by guest bloggers—professional authors, illustrators and experts in creativity.
Instead of visiting the blog directly, you can receive the daily posts via email by clicking the “Follow Tara’s Blog” button in the left column—look under my photo for it.
At the end of January, if you have at least 30 ideas, sign the STORYSTORM PLEDGE (to be posted on January 31) and qualify for prizes.
Prizes include agent feedback, signed books, original art, writerly gadgets and gizmos.
Remember, do not share your ideas publicly in January. They are YOURS. No need to prove that you have them at the end of the month. The pledge you will sign is on the honor system.
Are you in? Awesome. Pick up your Official Participant badge below and affix it to any social media account you wish. (Right click to save to your computer, then upload it anywhere.)
The final piece? Join the STORYSTORM Facebook discussion group. Everyone needs family!
(What??? I told you my process includes changing sitcom families when needed!)
The Facebook group is completely optional, but it remains a year-round source of writing information and support, mostly focused on picture books, I admit, because that is where this all began.
Registration will remain open through JANUARY 7TH.
What are you waiting for? Register and go celebrate! I’ll see you back here on New Year’s Day.
by Joan Holub
The Goddess Girls series is up to #25 with CLOTHO THE FATE! I can hardly believe it. (Thank you, thank you, Simon and Schuster!) The Greek myth about the Three Fates, who decide, well, human fates, has been one of my faves since fifth grade.
THE GODDESS GIRLS series (ages 8-12) happened because I met Suzanne Williams at an SCBWI meeting and asked if she’d consider co-writing a series. We both pitched ideas and Goddess Girls wound up the front-runner. Book #1 Athena the Brain, in which Athena discovers she’s a goddess and is summoned by her dad Zeus to attend Mount Olympus Academy, pubbed in 2010. The GG books are each a riff on an actual Greek myth and star smart, adventurous girl goddesses. Quirky grown-ups include Mr. Cyclops teaching classes such as Hero-ology. Suzanne and I have since spun off two other series: LITTLE GODDESS GIRLS (ages 6-8) and HEROES-IN-TRAINING (ages 7-10).
Recently, I read an instagram from a favorite author, Julie Falatko, regarding the difficulties of balancing art, life, and income. I’m prolific with about 170 children’s books by now, and I realized that series writing has helped me maintain that balance Julie mentions. With a schedule of enjoyable series work on my desk, I can fit in picture books, board books, etc. as I have time and think of ideas. My creativity isn’t encumbered by angst regarding my publishing future. Still, it’s not fair (or helpful) to me or my editors if I were to have, say, two board books pub in the same season for different publishers. A bookstore might choose only to stock one of those two Joan Holub offerings. Instead, if I pub a board book, along with either a picture book or a middle grade book in the same season, I haven’t set up sales competition between two of my own books. They’ll be shelved in different areas of a store and browsed by parents and kids in different age groups.
Some of my books have become a series unexpectedly. I read every biography (starting with the girl ones) in my school library as a kid. So a few years ago, I wanted to write some simple board books bios. First came THIS LITTLE PRESIDENT (Little Simon). The format includes 10 spreads with 10 of the better-known presidents, plus a final spread mentioning numerous more and a call for kids to become part of the presidential group in future. It sold well enough to spin into a series: THIS LITTLE ARTIST, THIS LITTLE TRAILBLAZER: A Girl Power Primer, etc. Much of the series success is owed to my editor and the illustrator. I mean, who could not pick up these books after seeing Daniel Roode’s covers? I’ve also been lucky enough to also write for the Penguin Workshop’s bestselling WHO WAS series (WHO WAS BABE RUTH?). They’re the books with the big heads on the covers, and it seems like every kid has read at least one. I know I have. They’re addictive.
Thank you, Tara, so much for letting me visit today.
I’d love to give away three autographed copies of GODDESS GIRLS: CLOTHO THE FATE. They won’t arrive until 2020, but there’s always Valentine’s Day and birthday gifts! Thanks for reading!
You heard Joan!
Leave one comment below to enter the random giveaway. Three random winners will be chosen soon.
Good luck!
Ring, ring! Ring, ring!
Who can that be?
Oh, it’s Laurie Keller and Adam Rex calling to talk about their new book PLUTO GETS THE CALL!
And making a surprise guest hosting appearance is none other than…PLUTO! (It’s kind of like how Brie Larson is filling in for Jimmy Kimmel. Yeah, just like that. Wait, does that make me Jimmy?)
Anyway…Pluto will be interviewing this dynamic picture book duo! Take it away, Pluto!
Now Adam, how did you get the idea to write about little old me?
Well, usually my books come out of totally unexpected ideation but this time it began with an editor asking if I might like to write something about our solar system. She was hoping if I wrote something like that, Laurie might want to illustrate it. It was the first time I’d ever written anything with another, specific artist in mind.
I’m not known for nonfiction. You don’t call me if you want 50 Facts About the Planets or whatever. So I started looking for the fiction that would underpin all the nonfiction, and your reclassification still feels like the biggest story to come out of the solar system in my lifetime. When I was a kid every list of planets ended with Pluto, but now my son learns something different. That seems like a big deal to me.
Thank you, Adam! I really am a big deal!
Laurie, do you want to draw any comparisons between me and your other round hero, Arnie the Doughnut?
Well, Pluto, that’s a very good question and the answer is yes! You and Arnie both have an infectious zest for life and a genuine excitement for whatever you do. You’re both seen as the “underdog” (or the under-doughnut-dog in Arnie’s case) but you never let the hard knocks crush your spirit. I’m inspired by you both!
And even though you don’t look anything alike, other than being round, you each have distinguishing features that you’re very proud of—you, with your big heart birthmark and Arnie, with his chocolate frosting and sprinkles! You’re a lot easier to paint than Arnie though—he always makes sure that I draw all 135 sprinkles and it takes a long time!
Adam, did Laurie contribute any clever asides to the story or do anything you didn’t expect? Just like I was not expecting to be de-planetized?
YES. I set out to write what I thought was a Laurie Keller picture book (you can ask her what SHE thinks about that), but it wouldn’t really be a Keller book without a lot of asides and marginal visual gags, and she wrote and invented nearly all of those. Including a line about smoothies that I’m sorry to say gets a bigger laugh than anything I wrote myself.
Well, c’mon Adam, everyone loves smoothies!!! Even an intergalactic comet!
So Laurie, what do you think about that?
Adam, you’re a great writer no matter what or who influences you at any given time. Just keep doing that Adam thang no matter how you do it! I was just happy to get the chance to illustrate one of your stories!
Adam, this book is PLUTO GETS THE CALL. Why didn’t I get a text instead?
I agree, the call was a mistake. Big-time roaming charges. But you don’t break up via text.
You sure fit in a lot of facts about me and the solar system. Did you count how many? (There’s more facts about me than anyone else, right?)
I fit in as many facts as I could while keeping the whole thing breezy and natural. I didn’t want anyone to zone out. I wanted them to feel like an affable new friend was giving them a house tour.
A house tour like Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous? Awesome! My house tour is really SPACIOUS! (Get it???)
Well, thanks to the two of you for making me a star! You know, like Brie Larson, not like the Sun. No one can steal Sun’s spotlight.
And blog readers, you can GET THE CALL, too!
Just leave a comment below to win a copy of PLUTO GETS THE CALL!
One random winner will be selected soon. And notified via email. So you won’t really GET THE CALL, but close enough!
A little theme GIF first…
Well, this post is long overdue!
Here are all the random winners of various giveaways since…I don’t even remember when! If your name is here, please be on the lookout for an email from me. Hopefully your prize will arrive in time for Christmas, but unfortunately, I can’t guarantee it. What I do guarantee is that you’ll be charmed and delighted when it lands on your doorstep!
(Hey, I never noticed before…is that girl in green Vogue-ing?)
OK, and away we go…
HOW TO TRICK A CHRISTMAS ELF by Sue Fliess
Rachel (rbkrackeler)
LONE WOLF by Sarah Kurpiel
Carrie Williford
KIKI & JAX by Marie Kondo & Salina Yoon
Rose Capelli
FRANK & BEAN by Jamie Michalak
Annette Pimental
AMY WU AND THE PERFECT BAO by Kat Zhang & Charlene Chua
Cheryl Johnson
PORCUPINE’S PIE by Laura Renauld
Sheila Wipperman
HALLOWEEN KITTY by Salina Yoon
Katie Giorgio
Joy Pitcairn
Rebecca Herzog
Carol Gwin Nelson
Denita Johnson
KARATE KID by Rosanne Kurstedt
Mary York
WHERE DOES A PIRATE GO POTTY? or A CRITIQUE by Dawn Prochovnik
Karin Larson
ANNIE LYNN’S MUSIC CD: SONGS FOR SCHOOLS
Natasha Wing
THE ARTIST WHO PAINTED A BLUE HORSE by Eric Carle
Jerianne Hayslett
TWO DOGS ON A TRIKE (when it releases in May 2020) by Gabi Snyder & Robin Rosenthal
Tania Hebert
YOUR FIRST DAY OF CIRCUS SCHOOL by me & Melissa Crowton
Amy Benoit
Jacqueline Adams
Latasha Vernon
DUCKWORTH THE DIFFICULT CHILD by Michael Sussman
Kaylynn Johnsen
Aimee Satterlee
SMALL WORLD by Ishta Mercurio
Christina Shawn
WHY? by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Kim Campbell
NUGGET & FANG GO TO SCHOOL by Tammi Sauer
Christine Pinto
SKYPES WITH ME (FOR TEACHERS/CLASSES OR WRITERS)
Marlene Farrell
Michelle Helsel
Joan Longstaff
loelmu
Susan Twiggs
Emily Patriquin
Amanda Sincavage
PAPER MICE by Megan Wagner Lloyd
Suzanne Lewis
Whoa, baby.
That was A LOT of giveaways I fell behind on. In the future I promise to be more timely! Maybe I should get a robot assistant?
(It looked like that robot assistant was gonna take the husband out with a frying pan! I think I’ll wait for the upgrade.)
Before you go, I’d like to let you know my next book is out soon…January 7th! Of course, it’s available for pre-order.
Wow, that snuck up on me! Finn the Leprechaun will sneak up on you, too.
I had a little visit with Santa and whispered all of these goodies in his ear! I hope you find just what you want under the tree this year.
The Book Seat
Besides a book, this is the perfect writer’s companion. It’s a sturdy pillow with a ledge to cradle your most precious possessions.
Get it: thebookseat.com
Once Upon a Time Card Game
Fancy a fractured fairy tale? Well, this one will definitely crack you up.
Get it: atlas-games.com
Wacky Wavy Mini Tube Guy
I dunno ’bout you, but I like silly things on my writing desk to entertain me. Enter this panic at the disco.
Get it: urbanoutfitters.com
Margaret Atwood Masterclass
What can I say other than WOW!?
Get it: masterclass.com
The Writer’s Toolbox
Doing Storystorm this year? This will keep your creativity turned up to 11!
Get it: chroniclebooks.com
Hemingway Typewriter Pencil Cup
A few years back, I shared this typewriter coaster set. Here’s a matching desk accessory!
Get it: victoriantradingco.com
Typewriter Wrapping Paper
Speaking of typewriters…you may want to use this as wallpaper.
Get it: theliterarygiftcompany.com
Scrabble Tile Magnets
The game you know and love, now in fridge format.
Get it: wildandwolfshop.com
The Pilot’s Pen (Night Writer)
In the 80’s there was Knight Rider. Now in the teens, we get an upgrade to Night Writer.
These LED pens light up so you can write in the dark. (Remember to keep a notepad on your nightstand for those sleepy, brilliant ideas!)
Get it: amazon.com
Chapter One, The End Earrings
Little Gem Girl creates these earrings. You just have to fill in the middle.
Get it: etsy.com
Mark My Words Bookmarks
These comic/graphic novel-style bookmarks will be sure to get the word out that you love reading.
Get it: genuinefred.com
Tea Drops Sampler
Tea is my creative fuel…and this appears to be a genius new way of taking your tea to crit group.
Get it: uncommongoods.com
Ideal Bookshelf Art
Artist Jane Mount creates ideal bookshelf art from Shakespeare to contemporary favorites. See the entire collection…and read it, too!
Get it: uncommongoods.com
The Writer’s Idea Thesaurus
While not necessarily for kidlit, this looks to be a creative kick in the keister.
Get it: indiebound.org
Children’s Book Week Posters
There’s an entire store filled with posters from every Children’s Book Week dating back to 1921!
Get it: cafepress.com
Rest My Sole Foot Rest Cushion
If you’ve got your BUTT IN CHAIR, you need to get your FEET ON REST. (Sorry, socks not included. But see below.)
Get it: amazon.com
Banned Books Socks
Keep those tootsies warm and cozy!
Get it: outofprint.com
Literary Temporary Tattoos
To tat or not to tat, that is the question. Don’t make a permanent decision.
Get it: chroniclebooks.com
Tara Lazar Books
Yeah, shameless plug.
Get it: taralazar.com/taras-books
You can also view my previous holiday gift guides for writers:
Happy Holidays, writing friends!
Please share you writerly gift picks in the comments!
by Sue Fliess
Let’s talk elves!
My book HOW TO TRAP A LEPRECHAUN is doing really well (yay!), so my publisher approached me to write more like it. They wanted one for Easter and Christmas. But they asked me if I would write more ‘trap’ books. When you put trapping with bunnies and elves, well, you can see the issue with that right away. So I came back to them with the titles: HOW TO TRACK AN EASTER BUNNY and HOW TO TRICK A CHRISTMAS ELF.
Great! But now I had to create a story for both of those. And come up with a craft written into each book as well! (Between you and me, trying to write craft instructions in rhyme requires a little humor and a lot of wine). But I said Yes, I’ll do it! and off to the library I went!
Researching Easter, bunnies, Christmas elves, mythical elves, Christmas crafts, that particular elf that hangs out on shelves, Santa, naughty and nice lists…whew! And with the help of my amazing critique group, I was able to come up with a story around both titles.
For HOW TO TRICK A CHRISTMAS ELF, I wanted to avoid having the children trick their elf into getting what they wanted for Christmas because that would be very bad! So I thought if they could trick or distract the elf, simply to peek at his naughty or nice list, then they would know where they stood with Santa and would have a chance to make things right, if need be, before the jolly man in red delivered (or not) their gifts.
So they decide to make the elf his very own miniature sleigh. To their surprise, he is over the moon! Because elves usually make the gifts, this sleigh is the first gift he’s ever received. He’s so delighted that he automatically puts the children on the nice list…and he flies back to Santa’s workshop in style. Now, the series, Magical Creatures and Crafts, is taking on a life of its own! It’s grown to include HOW TO FIND A UNICORN, HOW TO MEET A MERMAID, and even HOW TO HIDE A TURKEY, which are set to publish in 2020. Thanks for inviting me divulge the magic behind my elf book, Tara!
Thanks, Sue!
The elves have a gift for you, blog readers! A copy of the book!
You know the drill…leave a comment and I’ll pick a random winner soon!
Actually, I have a lot of winners to announce, and I had previously promised that post…but life has a way of interfering with the blog, so it’s been far too delayed. Next week we’ll have lots of winners just in time for the holidays!
Writing for Kids (While Raising Them) 