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Many of you know I am Jewish, but I wasn’t raised in the faith. My parents were actually lapsed Catholics. We never went to church and we celebrated Christmas and Easter in a secular fashion.
After my parents divorced, I suppose my mother was intent on making us appear whole. So when our local newspaper published an article about the family-friendly activity of cutting your own Christmas tree, my mother decided that the three of us (plus her boyfriend) had to bond over this new-to-us holiday tradition.
Sounds homey, right? Well, it was a comedy of errors!
She therefore took pen to paper and wrote a letter to the editor detailing our misfortunes. The paper loved it so much, they splashed it out on the front page with a byline!
Many thanks to Raji at the West Orange Public Library reference desk, who assumed I had suffered from a false memory of publishing glory, and kept flipping until she found the December 13, 1984 article on the fifth page. It is enclosed for your enjoyment. Click to enlarge it.
I apologize for the lack of my usual Gifts for Writers post (but you can read the past posts). Please remember that my books make excellent holiday gifts! (Wink, wink.)
Now I know PiBoIdMo participants are awaiting a final post from me, your fearless leader.
Well, that is still to come, once I am feeling better. Perhaps tomorrow? Monday? It shall come soon, never fear, says Fearless Leader.
In the meantime, I have something to make YOU feel better.
Gifts for writers! And by gifts for writers, I mean gifts that you shall immediately place on your wish list. Why? They’re just THAT awesome.
I’ve put together this list of my 10 personal favorites, but I have a more than 100 other literary lovies to tickle your holiday fancy on my Pinterest board Things Writers Like. So hop on your sleigh and slip over there once you’ve perused this pile. (Geesh, enough with the corny alliteration, Tara.)
Let me know which gift is your favorite, and feel free to add to the list in the comments!
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1. Modern Wooden Alphabet Necklace available via SevenSparrowGoods on etsy.com.
Men, don’t leave. I know this first gift is for the ladies. Don’t worry, I have plenty for you. See #2.
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2. Famous Author Action Figures available via ebay.
Ka-pow! Bam! Zonk! NEVERMORE!
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3. USB Typewriter available via uncommongoods.com.
If you miss the satisfying click-clack of an old-fashioned manual typewriter, here’s the perfect solution for you. It remains modern with a USB link to your preferred device–a PC, Mac or iPad.
4. Notebook Paper bed linens available via modcloth.com.
Can’t find a piece of paper in the middle of the night? Write on your pillow. Yep, this duvet set comes with washable markers. You won’t even get mad at the kids for drawing on them.
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5. Storymatic Game (Kids Version) available via mentalfloss.com.
Maybe you’ve heard of Rory’s Story Cubes or Haikubes or even The Amazing Story Generator. Well, this is a writing prompt game with over 6 million possibilities.
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6. Book Rest Lamp available via mentalfloss.com.
Ah, there’s no place like home. Home for your latest read, that is. The soft glow of the lamp is enough to read by, plus you’ll never lose your page.
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7. AquaNotes available via myaquanotes.com.
No more great ideas down the drain! (And while you’re getting clean, may as well use “Wash Away Writer’s Block” soap.)
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8. The 3Doodler available via the3doodler.com.
OK, so maybe you wouldn’t want to write a novel with this, but wouldn’t it be cool to give your fans your characters or signature in 3D?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r05gjLfDX2E
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9. Vintage-style custom bookplates available via oiseaux on etsy.com.
Every writer is a reader, and your books are cherished keepsakes. So treat them that way with gorgeous vintage-style bookplates. This shop offers over 100 other vintage styles.
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10. Charlotte’s Web tee available via outofprintclothing.com.
A classic gift. Out of Print Clothing offers tees inspired by your literary favorites, from Goodnight Moon to Call of the Wild, from Charlotte’s Web to The Great Gatsby. You can never have too many books or too many book tees.
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Happy shopping for that special writer in your life!
And remember to stop by my Pinterest board “Things Writers Like” for even more!
Many thanks to my Writers Circle friend Michael Pilla for allowing me to share his hilarious holiday ode to the digital age! Enjoy and Merry Christmas!
Twas the Tweet before Christmas…
And all through the ‘net, there were last-minute specials,
And shopping time yet!
Photos were sent to the cloud with great care
So family and friends would be able to share.
The usual gadgets, some small and some large
Were all neatly plugged in for their overnight recharge.
And mom on her iPad and me on my Mac
Were Skype-ing our friends while having a snack
When then our connection was lost to the router
I yanked off my earbuds to see what was the matter.
A tingling I felt, from my head to my toes
Spying a red Mini Cooper festooned with logos!
Flying faster than video on 1080p
The driver called out his sponsors, as clear as can be…
Now ebay, now Apple, now Am’zon and Zappos,
On Google, on Priceline, on Fedex and Fios!
I knew in a moment, without any pause
He was the new and improved Santa, “Cyber Clause”.
Struck speechless was I, much like a mime
But I had to go greet him and grab some face time.
His clothes were Armani, to give him his due
He looked healthy and rested, and much slimmer too.
No more with the sleigh, or toys in the sack
That was old Clause, with the bad back.
“I’m the Mayor of Christmas” he chortled with glee
As he checked in with FourSquare, before speaking to me.
With gadgets, and cards, he briefly explained
My job’s become easier, no need to strain.
I’ve streamlined my workshop, there’s much less to do
Put a factory in China, reindeers in a zoo
I layed off some elves, I now work part time
Since I developed an app to keep kiddies in line
No more written lists of those naughty and nice
I get real-time updates, don’t have to check twice.
He dropped off some gifts that were both pretty and small
And sucked down the Red Bull I left in the hall.
Then quick as a wink he dashed out to his car
It started right up, and was bright as a star
He texted my Droid as he drove out of sight
“Like me on Facebook” and have a good night!
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Born and raised in the Bronx, NY, Michael Pilla has spent his career as graphic designer, creative director, Internet marketer, and entrepreneur. Since starting his own firm in 2003, he has brought the power of the internet to such diverse industries as arts and entertainment, restaurants, food and beverage and a number of small businesses.A sought-after speaker and writer on Internet Marketing issues, Michael is working on a humorous guide book for start-up entrepreneurs. Reach him at Pilla Creative Marketing or Section 11: The Search for Intelligent Humor.
I had the pleasure of meeting author Jeannine Norris at a recent NJ-SCBWI mentoring workshop. One of the organizers, Kathy Temean, held up a copy of Tonight You Are My Baby and pointed to Jeannine, the author, sitting right behind me. Kathy told us that Jeannine had met her editor at a previous NJ-SCBWI event. Amazing! I immediately knew I had to talk to Jeannine about her path to publication.
Jeannine, how long have you been writing?
I have been writing for about four years. I dabbled in writing when our children were babies, as I missed the creative stimulation of my former job. I really started to write when our youngest went to pre-K.
Where did the inspiration for Tonight You Are My Baby come from?
The inspiration came when our daughter, Quinn, who was four years old at the time, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. As a mother, I needed the strength to help our daughter get through this difficult journey. I started to think about Mary, as the mother of Jesus, and her incredible strength. I decided to write about the Nativity, from a mother’s perspective, and, if the book was published, donate part of the proceeds to helping kids with brain tumors. Quinn’s tumor was benign, and next year will be her five-year celebration! We started a foundation, At Least Kids, that contributes to pediatric brain tumor research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and supports families struggling financially. A portion of each book sold is donated directly to At Least Kids.
What a scary time for you as a parent, but what a blessed outcome—a healthy child, a beautiful book and a charitable foundation.
You met your editor at a writer’s event here in New Jersey. Can you tell us how the deal transpired?
I met my lovely editor, Catherine Onder, at a NJ-SCBWI mentoring workshop. Catherine heard Tonight You Are My Baby during the first page session. Another editor asked to see the rest of the manuscript, but it was eventually declined. Several months later, I met Catherine at another NJ-SCBWI workshop (with another manuscript) and she remembered the first page of Tonight You Are My Baby. She asked to see the rest of the manuscript and several months later it was acquired. I couldn’t have been happier! The right time, the right place, a great editor. I’m a huge cheerleader for SCBWI events. Opportunities abound!
I love NJ-SCBWI, too!
After your book was acquired, what was the editing process like?
The editing process was fascinating! I needed to add a few stanzas, when Tim Ladwig, the illustrator, started working on the book. Catherine helped me with the revisions as well. I have to say, I love revising, as my book became so much better! Revisions and rhyme are always a challenge—often it means changing the entire line, instead of just a word. Catherine pointed out that I had used the word “quiet” several times in my manuscript. Not a good idea when you are only dealing with 400-500 words! I hadn’t even noticed. When I do my school visits, I always tell the students about my revisions. A good editor is like a good teacher—encouraging, has a vision, and wants your work to be its best. Kids are always surprised that even authors make many revisions.
Interesting–how many times had you repeated “quiet”?
I think I had repeated “quiet” three times!
I suspect that many writers have a “crutch” word or phrase in a manuscript that we just don’t notice. Yours was “quiet.” Mine is “just.” (See?) It takes a good editor to point that out!
Why the need to add the stanzas? Was it because of the illustration spread count? Or did Tim add a drawing you hadn’t envisioned?
We added three stanzas because when Tim started to draw the story arc, we wanted Mary first traveling to Bethlehem and meeting Jesus several pages in. Naturally, the book is about a mother and her baby, but we needed additional stanzas to add other images: the angels trumpeting, the sheep/cows/donkey in the stable, the wise men bringing gifts. All those stanzas were added during revisions. As it happens, the angels trumpeting is my favorite illustration! It’s not what I imagined, and I love it! Tim was so creative. The rest of the illustrations are what I saw in my mind’s eye when I was writing. Tim really “got it”—Mary is very young, completely accessible and a joyous mother.
What has surprised you most about being a published author?
My big surprise was—I didn’t really have any big suprises! The tremendous benefit of using the SCBWI and Verla Kay discussion boards is using the experiences of other authors to make the path easier. I am hugely indebted to those who have traveled this literary path before me! Through the discussion boards and workshops, I felt really well-prepared. Any of my questions were answered: simple questions such as “How do I make postcards?” to more complicated questions dealing with contracts. One pleasant surprise was that all of my school visits were wonderful. Each one was gracious, organized, prepared AND I sold a lot of books! Again, I learned how to prepare pre-order forms, write school contracts and even develop a PowerPoint presentation through the experiences of others. There is much to be learned, but a wealth of information is readily available.
What other advice do you have for aspiring children’s authors?
I would urge writers to join a critique group—or start one of their own! I belong to an online group and a local group. I met both of these groups through SCBWI conferences. Critique groups have so much to add! My groups provide me with valuable, honest comments and help prepare my manuscript for an editor’s eyes. I would also suggest aspiring authors gain writing credits through magazine articles, local publications and online sites. The extra income is nice, too! Attend every SCBWI workshop/conference you can afford. I’ve had an SCBWI workshop on my birthday list for the past several years! If your manuscript is acquired, be prepared to market yourself–heavily. The debut author MUST knock on doors, visit schools, call the bookstores, have a website, ask for interviews. This is your opportunity! Finally, have fun. Write what will bring you to your desk each day with a smile on your face.
That’s excellent advice, thank you, Jeannine.
Although Tonight You Are My Baby is about the birth of baby Jesus, a celebration of Christmas, what makes it a relevant read throughout the entire year?
Tonight You Are My Baby is really a celebration of a mother’s love. It’s about the boundless joy that every new mom experiences. The knowledge that a baby’s birth is truly a miracle—a gift unto itself. Tonight You Are My Baby is a celebration of Christmas, but it’s also a celebration of a mother’s heart. The book is certainly most popular at Christmas, but I find many people buying it for other occasions: new baby presents, baby showers, birthdays, etc. Mothers and little ones snuggle as they read of the love story that took place long ago.
Extra cuddle time: a wonderful reason for everyone to pick up this glorious book. Congratulations and thank you for sharing your journey to publication with us!
Tonight You Are My Baby
Story by Jeannine Norris
Illustrations by Tim Ladwig
HarperCollins, September 2008
Check it out!
Writing for Kids (While Raising Them) 