Tuesday Tips – Picture Book Writing and Illustrating with Alison Reynolds and Heath McKenzie

This week at my blog I’m celebrating the release of my crit buddy Alison Reynolds’, and talented illustrator Heath McKenzies’ beautiful new picture book, The Littlest Bushranger.

I was so excited to hold The Littlest Bushranger in my hand. I have seen this book through its various stages of development. I’ve seen it grow from Alison’s seed of an idea to a complete, full colour work of art and literature.

So I can’t promise my review of this book will be completely objective, but anyone who reads The Littlest Bushranger will love the playfulness and the wild imagination of this story, enhanced by Heath’s amazing pictures.

When Jack’s sister Lil goes off to school, Jack is left alone with his dog Hector and his imagination. Lil has assigned Jack the task of looking after her favourite toy while she’s away, but when an outlaw comes to steal it, Jack must call on his bushranger skills to save the day.

What I love about this book is that it explores the world inside a child’s pure imagination – and shows us that in the universe inside our mind anything is possible.

Jack is a very likeable character  who shows resilience and resourcefulness in dealing with his sister’s absence. He transforms his backyard into a magical world of adventure where he battles the fiendish villain with fearless resolve.

This book is a true collaboration between author and illustrator where the author has given the illustrator plenty of space to bring his own interpretation to the story. Heath’s illustrations are full of life and movement and carry the reader along in the urgency and adventure of this story.

The Littlest Bushranger can be read and discussed on so many levels from the entertaining story to looking at issues of the younger sibling left at home, and finding the resilience within ourselves.

The Littlest Bushranger has a uniquely Australian flavour.

PICTURE BOOK WRITING AND ILLUSTRATING TIPS FROM ALISON AND HEATH

Alison and Heath, the creators of this beautiful book have generously agreed to share some of their writing and illustrating tips.

Alison and Heath book signing at Collins Northland

Alison’s Writing Tips

1. Pillage your childhood!
2. Get writing. You can’t fix up a blank page.
3. Cut, cut, cut.
4. Do as many drafts as it needs. If the sight of your manuscript makes you feel sick, then you’re on the right track. Swig an eno and do another draft.
5. Leave room for the illustrator to interpret the story too. You don’t need to say everything when you can show it in an illustration.

Heath’s Illustrating Tips

1. The more you draw, the better you’ll get – mistakes are one of the best things you can do!

2. Don’t try and draw a perfect drawing straight away – rough things in, make a little mess and refine that.

3. Imagining what you’re trying to draw as a group of basic shapes is a good way to start.

4. Draw what you love (BUT try something different now and then, it’ll do you wonders!)

5. Experiment! Both with styles of drawing and what you draw with!

Saddle up for The Littlest Bushranger blog tour.

Follow the stops on tour and you could win some fabulous prizes. The best thing about a blog tour is that you don’t have to visit on the stated day, you can drop in the next day or the next and still enjoy being part of the tour – and win the prizes.

June 11 Kat Apel

http://katswhiskers.wordpress.com/blog/

June 12 Chris Bell

http://christinemareebell.wordpress.com/

June 13 Angela Sunde

http://angelasunde.blogspot.com.au/

June 14 Boomerang Books Blog

http://blog.boomerangbooks.com.au/author/dpowell

June 17 Ask the Sales Rep. Interview with Melinda Beaumont

www.alisonreynolds.com.au

June 18 Dee White

http://deescribewriting.wordpress.com/

June 19 Kids Book Review

http://www.kids-bookreview.com/

June 20 Ask the Editor. Interview with Melissa Keil.

www.alisonreynolds.com.au

June 21 Heath McKenzie and Alison Reynolds interviewed by Juliet Chan, Marketing & Publicity Executive.

www.fivemilepress.com.au

WIN PRIZES ON THIS BLOG TOUR

THE PRIZES

1. A piece of Heath McKenzie’s artwork from The Littlest Bushranger
2. A picture book assessment by Alison Reynolds
3. 2 free passes direct to an editor’s desk (you get to skip the slush pile)
4. Copies of The Littlest Bushranger.

MONSTER COMPETITION

 There are a couple of monsters in The Littlest Bushranger. One’s a bunyip, and the other an outlaw/monster who steals Lil’s telescope.

What sort of monster do you like? Send along a painting/drawing/model of a monster and you could win a piece of Heath McKenzie’s amazing artwork for The Littlest Bushranger.

Upload your own best monster to https://www.facebook.com/alison.reynolds.524 or email it as a low res jpeg file to alrey@msn.com.au and we’ll upload it. If you don’t have a scanner, take a photo on a smart phone and email that!

Two categories. Under 12 and 12 plus including grown-ups. Entries close 25th June!

Follow the blog tour to find out details of the competitions and how you can win these great prizes.

WIN A CHANCE TO BEAT THE SLUSH PILE!

Have your manuscript on a Non Fiction Editor or Children’s Book Editor’s desk.

All you have to do is comment on any of the posts and leave NF (if you have a non-fiction manuscript) or CB if you have a children’s book manuscript. Leave NF and CB if you have both.

Good luck:)

I hope you’re enjoying our picture book blog post series.

Happy writing and illustrating:)

Dee

Tuesday Tips – More About Picture Books

This week I continue the picture book tips theme with some great tips from Ann James and Jane Tanner for illustrating and creating picture books.

Ann James at work

I attended a workshop they were taking at the Woodend Winter Arts Festival and they were both so generous with their time – talking and answering questions for nearly double their scheduled one hour.

As Ann pointed out, illustrators are different from many other kinds of artists in that they are narrative artists – they must love story – and they must be in love with the story they are illustrating.

SKILLS OF A PICTURE BOOK ILLUSTRATOR

According to Ann, a picture book illustrator needs the following:

1. Must be an interpreter – Often an illustrator is required to interpret someone else’s text or story concept. Visual language is different from textual language and an illustrator must bring the two together.
2. Ability to collaborate – An illustrator may be required to collaborate with an author, editor and sales and marketing staff. They need to be able to work closely and harmoniously with others.
3. Art skills – Illustrators come from many backgrounds including teaching, fine art, architecture and literature. What they have in common are their skills as an artist and their love for story.
4. Patience and Drive – Picture books can take one to two years to illustrate. For this reason, illustrators need to choose books where the story really connects with them – the story has to drive you to keep going during the long period of the illustration process.
5. Child centred – As an illustrator you need to find the inner child in you.
6. Start broad – Don’t narrow your options.

An illustrator needs to love working with story, children and art.

A book is like a stage. People come in and go out – and they are there to act out the story.

COLLABORATION BETWEEN AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR

Authors need to give the illustrator space.

According to Jane Tanner, “Sometimes authors have pictures in their head, but they have to give the illustrator space. The text has to be the start of the process not the finish.”

Of the relationship between an author and illustrator, Ann says, “A picture book is a dance between two people.”

TIPS FOR CREATING CHARACTERS

One of the difficulties I find with illustration is creating characters that are visually consistent on every page.

Jane’s tip – “Channel the character – so you feel you are the character.”

Jane Tanner talks a young fan through the illustration process

Ann’s tip – “Draw the character over and over again.”  Ann says she keeps drawing her character in all sorts of situations and poses until they feel right.

Get into your character like an actor would – using expression and body language and movement.

We all see the world differently – some artists look for tone and shade in the subject they are drawing, others are drawn to shape and some to contours. Ann says that’s how she works – she sees the edges of things.

Both Jane and Ann agreed that one of the most important things for an illustrator is to be true to yourself.

You can find out more about Ann at the Books Illustrated website.  

Details of Jane’s books can be found at her website.

Next Tuesday at DeeScribe Writing, Alison Reynolds and Heath McKenzie will be here with more great tips on writing and illustrating picture books – and there are prizes to win on their blog tour to celebrate the release of their new picture book, The Littlest Bushranger.

Till then, happy writing and illustrating:)

Dee

Tuesday Writing Tips Celebrates Gracie and Josh – More Picture Book Creating Tips with Susanne Gervey and Serena Geddes

After having so much wonderful feedback about the picture book writing and illustrating tips from Katrina Germein and Anthea Stead, I decided to run a series of posts about how to create picture books, and to feature some fabulous creators and their books.

Gracie and Josh

Written by Susanne Gervay and illustrated by Serena Geddes.

Gracie and Josh is a very special book about the bond between little Gracie and her brother, Josh who suffers from a serious illness.

This is such a heartwarming story celebrating the joy of life, and the bond between the siblings, and the inspiring way they deal with Josh’s sickness.

This inspiring story is full of optimism and hope and so poignant in its portrayal of what life is like for a seriously ill child and for the sibling who loves them unconditionally and just wants to make them laugh and be happy again.

Gracie and Josh  love playing together, and  they make a movie where Josh is the film make and Gracie is the star.

Gracie and Josh also celebrates differences in people and both the illustrations and text reflect a zest for living that’s infectious.

The popular children’s rhyme Incy Wincy Spider is woven cleverly into the narrative, symbolising the ups and downs of what Gracie and Josh are going through. It inspires resilience, and reinforces the importance of never giving up.

I loved the way the text of Gracie and Josh is so much in a child’s point of view and the reader can experience exactly what Gracie and Josh are feeling.

Serena’s joyous colourful illustrations bring light and warmth to a difficult subject.

Rather than focussing on illness and sadness, this book celebrates life and hope. Gracie and Josh is published by Ford Street Publishing.

Okay, so that’s the book … here are the great tips from the people who created it.

SUSANNE GERVAY’S WRITING TIPS

1. Have the courage to listen to editorial comment. That doesn’t mean you have to accept everything or anything. However the natural protective reaction of defending yourself and arguing that the editor (whoever it is) can’t see your creative point, is pointless. By the end, the editor will give up and say what you want to hear – ‘that is great work’ – or not say nothing at all. So your writing won’t improve or be the best it can be.

2. Writing about a deep issue. Many authors write for ‘worthy’ reasons. I want to write to make life better for kids and families myself. So I write against bullying like in I AM JACK; about sibling and mothers cope when a child faces serious illness like in GRACIE & JOSH; disability in the beautiful YA novel BUTTERFLIES. However, I write story first. The deep issue is the challenge. Create wonderful characters and then the reader will emotionally engage. Don’t make the fatal mistake about writing about the issue first. It makes readers turn away.

3. Enjoy and participate in the creative life. Go to writing networks. Belong to SCBWI and/or CBCA and/or ASA. I belong to all of them. I have developed friends there over the years. Writing is filled with disappointments as well as joys, so it’s wonderful to share the journey. Your networks will sustain you during times of rejection and buoy you in times of success.

4. Appreciate written responses from editors and publishers. if they didn’t think your work was valuable, they’d just write – it does not suit our list. If a busy editor/publisher responds it means they respect your work. You could even edit and resend it to that editor/publisher.

5. Don’t write for the market. Write because you are passionate about your story. The market will find you. ‘Gracie and Josh’ is about a child facing serious illness. That’s not a marketable topic. However ‘Gracie and Josh is so beautiful and joyous celebrating each day, celebrating siblings and parents. Serena Geddes who did the emotional and loving illustrations captured the joy and hope of childhood; the play; the love between siblings … It’s a very special picture book which has been embraced by parents, grandparents, children. VARIETY the children’s charity that provides for children with illness or special needs and supports their families, has endorsed Gracie and Josh, making the experience so special.

SERENA GEDDES ILLUSTRATING TIPS

My 5 illustrating tips for Gracie and Josh

1. Understanding a multi layered manuscript

I speak like I know how this is done when actually, in this instance, I was rather stumped. I read Gracie and Josh at face value and in simple context, I was stuck with the direction of the story, my interpretation of it was stifled and this came through in my rough illustrations. It wasn’t until I sat with fellow illustrator Sarah Davis and author Susanne Gervay, that I saw the many depths and joy of Gracie and Josh.

2. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

It’s easy to get so close to a project that you can’t see the story from the words. Of course I did what most creative people would do (well I’d like to think you all do this too) and I locked myself in my room and butted my head against a wall for a good 4 weeks trying to “get it”. A fresh set of eyes is a HUGE help and brainstorming or even just discussing your project with someone that is not as emotionally attached to it, will soon have you seeing it in a new light. It’s sometimes the simplest thing that can set you on your way.

3. Research

I approached Gracie and Josh in a very different way to any of my previous books. Dealing with ill children is not something Google or Getty Images portrays in its trueness so I volunteered to run some workshops and talks at the Sydney Children’s Hospital. You don’t have to be there long to see the struggle of parents here, but what over powered that sadness was the joy and life of the children in the ward. They know why they are there and they know where they would prefer to be, but it didn’t take long to see a side to them that I instantly fell in love with and later, near the completion of Gracie and Josh, did I realise how close to home this book was to my own childhood experiences.

4. If its too hard don’t do it…

I am chuckling as I write this… The above line has some truth to it as I worked through Gracie and Josh. In one sense if you don’t challenge yourself how will you improve, and if you don’t take on a project you’d normally do, how will you show your diversity?
I was asked to illustrate Gracie and Josh realistically…..not sure if you know my previous work, but I am rather cartoony (challenge one). Then I wanted to use colour to emphasise the emotion (challenge two) and then there was this voice in my head that said create different perspective, because I obviously know how to do that well, errr? …..(challenge number three).

After some redraws and tweaks, Gracie and Josh finally came together. A picture book that challenged me and a beautiful finished product that I am very proud of.

5. Book a holiday and turn your phone off:)

Thanks Susanne and Serena for your wonderful tips and for sharing your beautiful book. I’m sure it will help many families through difficult times and help others to understand what they are going through.

You can find out more about Susanne and her works at http://www.sgervay.com/ See more of Serena’s fabulous illustrations here.

I hope you found Susanne and Serena’s tips helpful.

More picture book writing and illustrating tips to come.

If you have any of your own you’d like to share, feel free to post them in the comments section of this post.

Happy writing and illustrating:)

Dee

Tuesday Writing Tip – Why Join a Writer’s Group?

Recently I joined a new writer’s group and I am loving it.

This group is an eclectic mix of ages, levels of experience and genre. And it’s one of the things that makes it work so well.

Only one other person writes YA like me. There are poets, adult novelists, screen writers, non-fiction writers and writers prepared to tackle pretty much anything.

It’s a local writer’s group and it’s so inspiring to listen to all the other writing being done and to think of all the keyboards buzzing and creative juices flowing around me.

Writing is a solitary profession where you spend so much time at your keyboard and in your headspace, so it’s important for me to know that I’m not alone in this.

I’ve only been going to this group for a couple of months but already I can see the benefits:

1.  I’m becoming committed to my writing again because even if I don’t have publishing deadlines, there’s the deadline of reporting on my writing activities for the month and there’s also an expectation that you bring 200 words to be workshopped. So this makes me think about what I need help with.

2.  My eyes are being opened to other genre and styles.

3.  I’m being encouraged to look at my writing in a new way because many of the group are not familiar with my genre.

4.  I’m being introduced to new books and genre, which is sparking new ideas for stories outside my comfort zone.

5.  I’m learning new techniques from hearing how other authors work to build their story worlds and plots.

6.  I’m finding out about new competitions, grants and opportunities to be published.

7.  I’m getting to know a new group of people and have exposure to a new range of talents.

I’ve been in writer’s groups before that haven’t worked this well – and I think the main difference with this one is that the members of the group actually write – not everyone – not every month – but there are always enough people in the group who have written so we can have lively discussions and something to inspire us.

Are you in a writer’s group? If so, feel free to share your tips and experiences on what makes your writer’s group work. Perhaps you have questions about starting a writer’s group. Feel free to ask them in the comments section of this post.

Happy writing:)

Dee

Tuesday Writing Tips – Somebody’s House – Writing and Illustrating a Picture Book

Today I’m pleased to welcome talented author, Katrina Germein and amazing illustrator, Anthea Stead to my blog.

To celebrate their new book, Somebody’s House, Katrina and Anthea have dropped in and generously agreed to share their tips on how they created their vibrant new story. And I’ll be reviewing it at the end of this post.

KATRINA’S TOP 5 TIPS ON WRITING A PICTURE BOOK

Katrina Germein is a best-selling Australian picture book author, published worldwide.

Her popular picture book, My Dad Thinks He’s Funny, was Highly Commended in the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards.

The sequel, My Dad STILL Thinks He’s Funny, will be published in 2013. Katrina’s work has been featured on children’s television programs such as Wurrawhy, Yamba’s Playtime and Play School and several of her titles have won Notable Book commendations from The Children’s Book Council of Australia.

Here are Katrina’s tips on picture book writing:

1.  Don’t force a story. Write the story that’s dancing around your head when you’re doing the dishes or stopped at the traffic lights. Write the story that’s desperate to be written. (The story that is still shadowy will reveal itself when it’s ready.)

2.  Make it shorter. Your first draft is too long. Even if your first draft is short it’s still too long. Give it time to settle and then you’ll be able to see where you can tighten your manuscript.

3.  Ignore people who don’t know what they’re talking about. Your neighbor who teaches Year 10 Maths doesn’t know everything about children’s books just because he works in a school. Find people who can give you genuinely helpful feedback.

4.  Connect with a positive writing community. Find others (on or offline) who understand what it’s like to be a writer and will encourage and support you. Encourage and support them back. At some point you’ll need them.

5.  Write with heart. The aim of the game is to make your reader feel something.

Learn more about Katrina at www.katrinagermein.com

ANTHEA’S ILLUMINATING ILLUSTRATION TIPS

Anthea works long hours on her illustrations – often drawing late into the night. She does whatever it takes to get the job done – and her colourful illustrations are a reflection of her extraordinary talent and dedication to her art.

Here’s how she illustrates.

1. Worry. (I’m very good at it.)
1a, Helpful tip to stop worrying – Eat chocolate.! Works a treat . . . no pun intended, well maybe.
2. Take lots of photos of anything that may have the colour I am looking for. Eg. Purple cabbage was my inspiration for the roof of the yellow house.
3. Drink lots of coffee, work really late and then get up and re do in the morning light!
4. Create so many layers of paint and pastels you can lay your head on it (re previous point)!
5. Don’t let family members comment on drawings as it saves LOTS of time!

See more of Anthea’s illustrations and find out more about her at http://www.antheastead.com.au/ or her blog http://www.antheastead.blogspot.com.au/

MY REVIEW OF SOMEBODY’S HOUSE

I remember as a small child walking down the street and wondering who lived in the houses we passed. Katrina Germein and Anthea Stead’s Somebody’s House took me right back to that place in my childhood.

One of the charms of this book is the familiarity it evokes in the reader’s mind. I love that it encourages the child to use their imagination and picture what might be behind each front door.  Let me tell you, it won’t be what you’re expecting. Anthea’s vibrant illustrations are hilarious and so full of imagination that kids will love them.

Take the time to enjoy the lilting rhythm of Katrina’s text and the rollicking details of Anthea’s beautiful pictures. Look closely into the blaze of colour and texture and you’ll find many surprises. My favourites would have to be the occupants of the yellow house, but I’m not going to tell you who they are – you’ll have to read the book for yourself:)

This is another compelling story by popular author Katrina Germein and I’m sure that adults will love it just as much as the kids. Let’s face it, who isn’t curious about the neighbours?

I enjoyed the cute little twist at the end of Somebody’s House and I’m sure that young readers will too.

I can imagine this book read over and over again and each time children will pour over the pages to find more and more to enjoy in the text and illustrations.

I hope you’ve found  Katrina and Anthea’s tips helpful.

Happy reading and writing:)

Dee

 

Tuesday Writing Tips – Where Should I Start My Story?

What’s the best place to start my story?

I have been asked this question a lot lately and while there is no one answer or ‘right way’ to do it, there are some things to keep in mind.

The main character

Particularly if it’s a story for kids or teenagers, the reader will need to meet your main character straight away.  The sooner they connect with your character, the sooner you will hook them into the story.

Start AT the story

This might seem like a strange thing to say, but especially when you first begin writing, it’s quite common for writers to start their story before it actually happens.

For example, if your story starts with the character’s brother arriving home from the war, don’t show the character walking down the hallway to open the front door and find their brother standing there, start your story from the moment he/she opens the door and finds their long lost brother standing there.

Don’t start with back story or information dumps where you give the reader lots of detail about your characters. Try and show characterisation by action and dialogue and how a character interacts with the setting.

Think about how you are starting your story. Are you starting it with something that the reader needs to know or something that the author needs to know? (Authors need to know a lot of background information about their characters because that’s what makes them who they are – but readers don’t necessarily need to know all this.) If your story starts with something that you have discovered as the author, but the reader doesn’t necessarily need to know, then you need to think about a stronger beginning.

Your story must start with a piece of action that’s essential for the reader to understand, be hooked into or be interested in your story.

By action, I don’t necessarily mean a murder or a shooting or a car chase – I mean something has to actually happen in your story, not just be talked about – for example, the long lost brother arriving home. Don’t talk about him arriving home – show it happening – show your character’s actions and reactions.

Inciting incident

This brings me to the next point.  Every story needs an inciting incident – this is the event that starts the story off – it’s the reason why things change for your character now, on this day at this time.

An inciting incident could be something like the long lost brother arriving home from the war, a letter in the mail, an accident – a piece of action that starts the story in motion.

An inciting incident is the thing that starts the chain of events that are your story – the chain of events that are going to change your main character’s life forever.

I hope this helps you getting started with your story.

If you have any other tips about how or when to start your story – or experiences to share, please feel free to post them in the comments section of this article.

Happy Writing:)

Dee

Tuesday Tips – Blending the real and the futuristic world – The Originals by Cat Patrick

Cat Patrick’s new YA novel, the Originals is a fabulous example of how you can blend the contemporary world and a futuristic setting to create a compelling, believable story that even non sci-fi fans can relate to.

It’s the story of Ella, Betsey and Lizzie who could be triplets, but in fact they are clones. And not only that, they are clones in hiding, but they’re not really sure what they’re hiding from. All they know is that their mother is so secretive about their existence that she insists they live as one person.

If you think this is just another clone story, you’re wrong. Ella, Betsey and Lizzie are illegal clones and if their identity becomes known they could be split up and taken from their mother. So they are forced to divide their days and nights into thirds and live only one third of a life. The three of them have to pretend to be one person, which means they are never allowed to be seen  in public together.

By using contemporary teen issues of love, sibling rivalry, coming of age and the need to be an individual, Cat Patrick’s the Originals manages to appeal to a much broader readership than the traditional sci fi reader.

She uses these teen issues to create a sense of urgency, and tension that make the Originals hard to put down.

We are clones in hiding. We split our lives and exist as one person in the outside world. And we’ve always been happy.

But now I’ve fallen in love … and that changes everything.

Because to let love in, I need to be allowed to be Me.

Lizzie’s desire to be ‘herself’ inspires her to rebel and the others soon follow. But if they want to live their own lives, they’re going to have to band together and risk everything.

The Originals is compelling – especially if you enjoy sci fi that’s set in a world that’s a lot like you could imagine ours being in the future – a world that you can picture in your  mind.

Apart from being a great read, this book will show you at least five important things about writing:

1. How to create a believable futuristic world that readers can relate to.
2. How to add a twist that turns an everyday story into something unique and tension filled.
3. How to develop a well rounded main character with flaws and virtues that connect her to readers.
4. How to decide on your point of view character.
5. How to use one character’s point of view to reveal what’s going on with other characters.

The Orginals is published by Hardie Grant Egmont.

Happy reading and writing:)

Dee

Tuesday Tips – Getting Started – Once upon a Slime

I recently read Andy Griffith’s and Terry Denton’s new book, Once upon a Slime, and I have to say it opened my mind to a whole new collection of story possibilities.

This book had so many fabulous ideas for people with writer’s block, or anyone looking for a new idea to write about.

Once upon a Slime is Andy Griffith’s challenge for young writers to come up with the silliest, stupidest, wackiest, craziest ideas and stories of all time. But this book also provides great prompts to get older writers scribbling too.

Once upon a Slime contains 45 fun writing and storytelling activities, such as lists, instructions, cartoons, personal stories, poems and pocket books … all gleaned from the mad bad mind of bestselling Australian children’s author, Andy Griffiths.

It has simple, practical and inspiring ways to have fun with words and pictures.

My favourite prompts were:

1. Fun with food
2. I hate …
3. Just terrifying
4. Lifting the lid
5. Stretching the truth
6. That’s embarrassing

See how a few words can conjure up all sorts of ideas – read the chapters and you’ll be even more inspired.

This book is a great example of how to combine biography with instructional content to provide  informative and entertaining reading – how sharing a part of yourself and your personal experiences can add credibility. Andy and Terry reminded me that ‘how to’ books don’t have to be dull and boring.

Once upon a Slime opens with Andy telling the reader how he wrote his first story when he was eight – a get well card to his dad – and ends with the ‘what if’ question that writers ask themselves a lot.

It shares the personal experiences of both Andy and Terry and gives you insight into where they get their bestselling ideas from.

They use examples from their books to demonstrate techniques and despite being an instructional guide, the book unfolds in funny and surprising ways just like their madcap stories.

If you’re looking for an entertaining and inspiring book to generate writing ideas in the classroom or even in your own brain, this could be the book for you. Once upon a Slime is published by Pan Macmillan Australia.

I’m going to have limited internet access over the next two weeks so if it takes me a while to moderate your blog comments, please be patient.

Once upon a Slime provides great inspiration for writers of all ages. Feel free to share your inspiration sources in the comments section of this post.

Happy writing:)

Dee

Out of Internet Range

I’m going to be out of internet range for the next ten days but I’ve still scheduled a couple of posts to appear while I’m ‘off the air’.

I hope you find them helpful.

If you wish to leave comments, it might take me a little while to get online to moderate them so please be patient.

Sorry for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your interest in my blog.

Happy writing:)

Dee

Tuesday Writing Tip – Coping With Creative Disappointment

Every time we submit a piece of writing or artwork to be read or judged, we’re putting a very personal piece of ourselves ‘out there’ so it’s inevitable that this will sometimes lead to disappointment.

Last week the CBCA shortlists and notables were announced so for some authors and illustrators these feelings of hurt and possibly sadness will be particularly acute at the moment.

As usual there was some discussion after the announcements about the fabulous books that had missed out. And it’s inevitable that some great books won’t make the list because the judges are people, and their decisions must be affected by things like mood, personal circumstances and preferences – all things that a book creator has no control over.

I didn’t have anything entered in this year’s awards but I have friends who triumphed and some who weren’t mentioned on the lists – and for those people, I felt the disappointment.

Between awards, negative reviews and rejections, it’s no wonder that creative people go through emotional slumps, crises of confidence and disappointment.

10 Tips to Help You Cope With Creative Disappointment

So how do you work through these times and come out the other end stronger and with a greater desire than ever to get your work out there?

1.  Don’t take rejections or disappointments personally. They are not a rejection of YOU, they are a response to ONE particular piece of work – often just one person’s opinion.

2. Try to be analytical about any feedback or suggestions that come with the rejection. Do you think they will make your work better or will they take your work in a direction that doesn’t fit with your vision for the work? If so, you don’t have to take them on board.

3.  Be kind to yourself. Allow yourself time to come to terms with the disappointment. You are allowed to be disappointed. Be sad, but be determined not to let this stop you from creating. It might be that what you have created isn’t right for the market just now, but it could be a bestseller in the future – or in another form – or even another country.

4.  Keep creating. Channel that disappointment into something new – a project that excites you. Allow the disappointment to motivate you and spur you on.

5.  Eat chocolate – this is a great temporary fix:) Or do something else that makes you happy.

6.  Don’t dwell on it – don’t look at every Facebook post and Twitter post about the awards and stew.  If it makes you angry to read posts about an award you missed out on or an author who succeeded with a publisher who rejected you, then don’t read them. Stay away from Facebook and Twitter until you stop feeling like this. Dwelling on disappointments can stifle your creativity and just make you more unhappy.

7. Vent and move on. Discuss your disappointment with trusted fellow creators. It’s absolutely normal to feel disappointment. Empathy for your situation can help you feel better, but don’t overdo it or it could make you feel worse. Vent then move on to new projects that excite you.

8.  If you don’t have a new project in mind – read and read until you find a book that is so wonderful it inspires you to pick up your pen, computer, paintbrush or drawing tablet again.

9.  Do something that makes you feel good about yourself. It might be creative, it might be something totally unrelated like volunteering to read to children who don’t have anyone to read to them. When you see how much pleasure they get from books, it might inspire you to go back and create them.

10.  Be happy for the people who were on the awards list. Consider that they have probably worked just as hard as you and are no less deserving. Be optimistic that your turn will come.

How do you cope with disappointment?

If you have any tips please feel free to share them in the comments section of this post.

Happy writing:)

Dee