Tropical Inspiration

Well, folks I'm rounding out my fifth week in the Caribbean. Lush greenery, crashing waves, beautiful inspiration and an exploding volcano!

But that too has spurred the creative juices. Since I've been here I've cranked out 3 picture books and finished a YA novel.

The first picture book was inspired by a Caribbean folktale. It's a retelling of sorts.

The second is a board book for the very young, inspired by the sailing ships that pass my veranda every day.

The third is a creative non-fiction picture book (new territory for me) based on the erupting volcano here on Montserrat.

And I just love working on my new YA paranormal novel. Already, bits and pieces of a sequel are brewing in my head.

So it's been quite a productive time, here in the Caribbean.

Now the hard part begins. Going home and selling these books.


I LOVE TO WRITE FOR KIDS, BOTH BIG AND LITTLE!

Starting the New Year with a Bang!

This year I am determined to get another book published, but this time it will be one of my novels. I've just spent that last six months revising my YA dystopian. It's done and it's ready to find a home. So what better way to start looking for one than by seeking representation?

That is my goal for 2010. Earnestly looking for an agent. Will keep you posted on how my search goes.

If you're interested in searching for agents try looking at Agent Query.com, Query Tracker.net, The Guide to Literary Agents Blog, or the Verla Kay website.

Great resources.

Happy New Year!

Kid Lit Contest

Hi folks:

here is a contest sponsored by kid lit for all you novel writers out there. Thought you might be interested.

Your entry has to be for a children’s novel (YA or MG, sorry, no picture books this time around), it has to be for a manuscript that is FINISHED and could be sent out to an agent, and it must be under 500 words.

To be clear, you have to email your entry to me with the subject line “Kidlit Contest” by January 31st, 2010 in order to qualify.

mary@kidlit.com

Once I have all entries, I will deliberate for about a week, pick the most compelling openings, dissect what makes them so awesome on the site AND award you fabulous prizes:

Grand Prize Winner: A 15 page critique
First Place: A 10 page critique
Second Place: A 5 page critique
Third Place: A 2 page critique
Honorable Mention(s): A critique of the first page of your novel

Again, deadline for entries: Sunday, January 31st at 11:59 p.m., Pacific Time.

Not only do you have to email me your entry, you’ve got to do the following things to qualify. Send me links so that I can double-check your eligibility, per the rules, anywhere in your entry email.

Contest Rules:

1. Put a link to this contest page in TWO other places. Click here for an easy code you can copy and paste!
2. Link to Kidlit.com in your blog sidebar (or add my syndication feed to your Livejournal, if you have no sidebar)
3. Read and comment on at least one other Kidlit post.

Good luck!

Rhyme Time Tuesday - New Children's Magazine

Spreading the news about a new poetry magazine for children.

Gisele Le Blanc, the former publisher of Dragonfly Spirit Magazine, has launched a new magazine devoted to haiku.

Berry Blue Haiku, a new online publication for kids, is now open to submissions. Her first issue is slated for June 2010.

For details, check her blog:

http://cobaltcrowproductions.blogspot.com/

Writer Wednesdays - Braided Stories

You’ve all heard of braided breads and French braided hair, but did you know stories need to be braided, too?

Braided stories should have three storylines, as each section of tresses in a plait. Writers who plod along on one story throughout the entire manuscript run the risk of writing a boring story. Readers need some unexpected happenings and this can be done a little at a time by incorporating three minor storylines into one larger manuscript.

You fold in layer by layer as the story progresses telling three smaller stories to keep the reader from losing interest. The reader likes to figure out plotlines before they actually get to the words that reveal them. What makes that practice interesting is the twist that overlaps storylines to surprise the reader.

How to braid your stories:

· Divide your story into threes

· Write each one separately

· Incorporate in story.

Some writers do this instinctively. Braiding makes your stories come alive. It connects the reader to your characters.

Let’s look at some examples of braiding.

#1 Harry Potter

Braid A – orphan boy neglected by his aunt and uncle. (family relationships)

Braid B – attends a secret wizard school (school relationships)

Braid C - discovers he is the nemesis if a most evil wizard (good vs. evil)

#2 Twilight

Braid A – teen-age girl is the mediator between divorced parents and moves in with her father on the other side of the country (family relationships)

Braid B – attends a new school, where she becomes mesmerized by a strange boy (school relationships)

Braid C – makes friends with the son of her father’s friend, complicating her relationship in Braid B

#3 Rock Star Santa

Braid A – Santa and his rowdy reindeer band play a Christmas Eve concert

Braid B – Boy wakes and thinks he was dreaming

Braid C – Boy finds clues that he really was a Santa’s Rock Concert

So get your story threads separated, start at the top and overlap until you come to the end. Secure with a climax and satisfying end.

Interview with Realm Lovejoy

Today, on Writer Wednesday, I am happy to announce that I have been interviewed on fellow author Realm Lovejoy's blog. Realm is a fantastic artist/illustrator. Her book CLAN will be coming out shortly.

She so graciously took the time to draw my picture to accompany the interview. I have the great honor of being the 1st picture book writer to appear on her blog.

You can read my interview about ROCK STAR SANTA at:

http://realmlovejoy.blogspot.com/

Thanks,

Gayle

Rock Star Santa's Elizabethville Library Visit

It's Photo Friday!

Last Sunday Rock Star Santa and I participated in a special "Arts" series for children at the Elizabethville Library. Everyone had a rockin' time. The pictures say it all.

Thank you for a very extraordinary performance. My own children couldn't stop talking about it. We received positive feedback from everyone who attended the program.

--Bobbie Jo Trowbridge, Program Event Coordinator