Hello! Here we go! This is my first attempt at being a blogger.
I hope to give you information on writing and other interesting tidbits as I feel inspired by the Muse!
When I learn how, I will post a picture -- of me in a bikini. HAAAA! I think not!
Mary Ann Duke
Author of Writing For Real-World Reasons
Author of Trapped by a Teacher
Author of The Chicken Catchers
Author of over 75 articles
Beautiful Picture!
ReplyDeletepjtemple! Thank You! And, you are the first to post on my blog!!
ReplyDeleteMuse for today:
ReplyDeleteI think it is very important to set goals. I like to set immediate goals, intermediate goals and long term goals. Several years ago I took a course in creativity. The professor required us to set five goals. I did so. But, they were mostly (at that time) just hopeful air-castle dreams. Recently I found the notebook from that class. Lo and behold! I have accomplished each of those five dreams/goals. One goal was to get a book published. I have three books and 75 articles published. Another goal was to get a two-story house. That was totally a dream I thought would never be a reality. Well---I did get my two-story house. Amazing to me! Set a goal today! Let me know when it "comes true."
Anyone know how I can turn the picture below upright instead of sideways? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi, Aunt MaryAnn! Welcome to the blogosphere!
ReplyDeleteLove from Texas,
Alicia
Hi Alicia!!
ReplyDeleteBlogging is pretty new for me. Thanks for commenting.
The Blog Muse for today:
ReplyDeleteI am interested in having a picture book published. I know, I know. Times are tough, publishers are not buying picture book manuscripts from unknowns (and some knowns) and I don't have an agent. But--remember, I set goals. I am also tenacious.
So, what have I learned recently to help me be successful?
I need to look in bookstores to see what is selling in the market today. I need to ask questions, like, "Which picture books fly off the shelves in your store?" I wish I had written Fancy Nancy. I love her.
It is my understanding that the market for PB (that's picture books) currently wants manuscripts that are less than 700 words. Publishers prefer short, snappy, verb-filled 500 word books. Of course the manuscripts must be well plotted and usually fast-paced. Editors want a fresh, unique voice. That's a hard one. There's not much that's fresh and unique under the sun. And, when I write what I think is fresh and unique (because it's in my southern drawl) I get rejected. Drats!
Okay, that's all I'm going to say about picture books today. I have six more ideas to help you (and me) to produce a well-written PB. I'll post those ideas next time. Until then, Happy Writing (and REwriting.)
Picture Books are so fun. One of my favorites is 'Where the WIld Things Are'. I have a son named Max, and he wanted me to read that to him every night when he was little. I think it's part of why he's a reading fiend today.
ReplyDeleteHi, So fun to see your blog. Good on 'y'all.'
ReplyDeleteYes, you are tenacious. Love that about you. You'll handle those goals just fine.
A fave pb for me is 'A Regular Flood of Mishap' by Tom Birdseye. You'll love the accent.
Missing you and Florida,
Marion
Yea Max! Thanks Cathy, for sharing. Marion, great to hear from you. I'll have to look for that book.
ReplyDeleteThe Muse had me writing about picture book manuscripts yesterday. I will continue today.
ReplyDeleteSo, you want to be a writer of picture books? It's a tough market to sell in right now--especially if you don't have an agent to represent you. I think it's as difficult to get an agent as it is to get a book contract from a publisher. Anyway--if you want to write a killer manuscript, some other things you must consider are: It should be character-driven. Also, humor is good. Actually, humor is great. Kids love it, but it has to be on their level. You need a hook--something that will hook the reader right away. You should write an unusual twist at the end. In today's market you need unique, funny characters. And, of course, we all know that the child must be the one to figure out and solve the problem. I hope this is a bit of information that will give you a start. Follow your heart, but study the craft. Do your homework. The more knowledge you have about writing, the more the muse will want to visit you!
Some other writing suggestions I've gleaned from reading about writing:
ReplyDeleteYou must always have a problem--or shall I say, the character(s) has/have a problem. If you don't have a problem, then you don't have a story.
Since young people are all about instant gratification, it seems, now days, you should begin with the problem-an interesting problem. As I mentioned yesterday, your child or youth character must solve the problem.
Your story has to be original and unique. Don't try to copy others. Sure, you should investigate to see what's hot and what's not in the sales of children's books, but pen your own creative story. "It's the story that matters." Since I am dead tired and have to get up EARLY tomorrow, I'm going to stop this post right now. I will speak with the Muse and strive to write better tomorrow.
Aarrrgghhh! I just wrote a l-o-n-g blog about "Hot Topics" and accidently deleted it. Hhhhurmph! Well, I will write it again --- some other time!
ReplyDeleteI will try again, but I don't know if I can wax as elegant and lyrical and poetic as I did in the original post today. LOL
ReplyDeleteIn the earlier post I talked about writing books that concern a current topic or hot topic.
A current or hot topic in the news this month is the anniversary of the destruction of the twin towers. If you wrote something about that and submitted it last month, you are about a year or two too late. I know with the e-book phenomenon this lead time is shortened, but I'm talking about hard cover trade books published traditionally.
Publishers acquire manuscripts anywhere from 12 to 24 months in advance of publication. In the future it is possible that this time may be shortened with the "print on demand" availability.
My book Trapped By a Teacher has a copyright of 1999. It appeared in Rigby's 2000 catalog. I sent the manuscript the company months prior to that. I signed the contract one year before the book was published.
Other hot topics are the presidential election, the Olympics, or any historical anniversary.
Writers who haven't done their homework will flood editors' offices with manuscripts that seem so relevant and so needed at that critical time.
My question is--Why do you want to write about this subject? Is it only because it is a current hot topic and you think that it is what publishers are looking for? If that is the only reason, then I would say, "Don't waste your time."
What I say you should do is write about something you really care about, something you are passionate about. Write about something you want to spend time researching and reading about. Then do it--read, research and write. Do your homework on the subject and then write your best lyrical prose.
Now, if you MUST write about a hot topic, you need to find one that is about a year or two away. For instance, what does April 15, 1912 and April 15, 2012 say to you? You need to start to work NOW if you want to strive to get that hot topic published in your name. However, I think those manuscripts are currently being considered and if yours isn't already in the slush pile, then it may be too late.
Don't Worry. Be Happy. Write what you love!
Hi, Mary Ann
ReplyDeleteLoved reading all your posts & replies. I have a cousin who's daughter has a blog & is very good at it, I think. Oh, and as far as how to turn the picture around, you need to go into where you have the original photo in your pc & click on the "Rotate" button (it's a circular arrow). You may have to click on it a time or two until it's upright. Then, re-enter it on your blog (after first deleting the photo from your blog, of course). That should do it.
A very simplistic and formula-matic picture book outline might look like this:
ReplyDelete1.Establish a setting
2.Introduce characters
3.Create conflict
4.Resolve the conflict
5.Happy ending, (by returning to original setting or something familiar and happy.)
What text should you write on each page in this somewhat formula driven PB?
You could begin by answering a question on each page or subtly asking a new one suggests Ellen E.M. Roberts.
Because you are using a few words (remember is said 700 or less--preferably 500.) then you must be very picky in your choice. You must be exacting in your sentence construction.
Yes, creativity plays a huge role in being a PB writer, but you must develop a technical skill that is required for this genre.
And, you thought writing a picture book was easy.
Yesterday I wrote a post, but now I don't see it. Hmmmmmmmm.
ReplyDeleteI am consumed daily with paper work, phone calls, visits, etc. for, about, and with my mother. I feel so bad that our minds and bodies have to endure such indignities before we are ready.
I have been taking art lessons (watercolor) for several months. I've always wanted to paint. I'm really enjoying this creative, calming hobby. Mother took oil painting lessons about 45 years ago. She really enjoyed it and painted quite a few pictures. When I visited her today, during our discussion, I asked her about her favorite painting. At first, she didn't remember ever painting. Finally she said, "I don't know what I painted, but I remember I was proud."
ReplyDelete2012 Father's Day
ReplyDeleteWe have three children. It was wonderful that each one called their dad for Father's Day. Our son, Jared, who lives here in Sarasota, FL had us over for dinner at 7:00 P.M. He grilled delicious steaks. His three children, Shelby, Jayci, Cameron (and Todd's 6 year-old Ashley who lives in south Florida) are our precious grandchildren. Spending time with them is our greatest joy.
Earlier in the day, after church, I visited Mother. I tried help her remember my father (her husband, of course) and but it was difficult.
I've been very busy the last few months rewriting two manuscripts. I'm ready to submit one tomorrow. I believe in it. I love it. I hated it a few months ago. I can only hope I did it right this time. Right for whom? I need to be in the right place, at the right time, with the right writings for that company. Wish me luck.
March 16, 3013
ReplyDeleteI had decided that blogging was "too much sugar for a nickel." That's an old southern expression meaning more work than it's worth. I hadn't gotten much feedback.
And then, I became extremely busy with Mom, also teaching writing three mornings a week at an elementary school, tutoring students in writing three afternoons a week and also working three days (every other week) in the temple that is two hours away. I've also had three surgeries on both of my eyes since October My art classes and my manuscript RE-writing took a backseat. But, I am back at it now. I can't discuss it right now, but "things are looking up" as far as one of my manuscripts is concerned. I'll just have to wait and see. Here's hoping!
Wow! I wrote the date as 3013. Hmmm. Obviously it's 2013. Sorry!
ReplyDeleteI just wrote a lengthy post and I clicked "preview" to see it. It's gone and I didn't click "publish" yet!!! AArrrggghhh.
ReplyDeleteI am happy, healthy and excited! (Except when my posts disappear!) Since mypost of March16, 2013, a lot has happened. Late March and April Bill and I vacationed in Montana & Utah for three weeks. We had a wonderful time. Then, in May, all heck broke loose. Bill had open heart surgery--a quintuple by-pass. That was rough. But now he is back healthy and strong. We are exercising, eating healthier and trying to be obedient to his doctors' (many doctors) orders. We no longer drink cow's milk. We eat meat sparingly and try to stay away from sugar. Everything has sugar! (Especially brownies. Do I have a killer recipe for brownies!) Hmmm. Killer might be the operative word here. Scary!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, please remember I have some copies on hand of my novel, THE CHICKEN CATCHERS at a good price. They'd make great Christmas gifts. Email me at DrMad92@verizon.net. Happy Writing.
I'm not saying that brownies will kill you. I'm just saying I need to eat less chocolate and sugar. I love, love, love chocolate!
ReplyDelete