One of the greatest misconceptions about children’s picture books is that these are books with pictures that are meant for children. This is simply not true. I would agree that, obviously, a signif…
Source: Slapstick and Subtlety: Yes, Please by @cordellmatthew
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50 card total. I think it’s a record low, but they are so pretty! |
By Angie Quantrell @AngieQuantrell
Distracted? Yes. But still productive.
These are the cards I stamped while visiting my college friend and co-stamping nut. I mean hobbyist.
Despite the multiple phone calls, texts, and emails that transpired due to the pending sale of our home, I was able to squeak out a tiny bit of concentration which allowed me to create greeting cards.
It’s what we do. This process works best when we are together, as our ideas bloom and feed off of each other. Our stash of rubber stamps, tools, papers, and supplies is doubled when we pool our resources. Life events are discussed, food is enjoyed, and cards are produced.
A win-win situation, even when one is selling a house.
I suppose I should apply this special superhero focusing power (giggle, giggle) to my picture book writing.
Yes. I really must.
Regardless of exterior distractions and influences, I need to be seated in the computer chair and producing manuscripts (or editing or submitting or querying). This shall become increasingly interesting when my office, chair, desk, and computer space becomes that of the RV dinette.
Whatever will the two gray girls do? Cause havoc and sleep on my papers. Without a doubt.
Onward and upward.
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“Meow, meow, Mommy! Get writing!” says Monet. |
By Angie Quantrell @AngieQuantrell
I loosely say silverware, though there is probably only 1 or 2 pieces that actually contain silver. Utensil ware is so much less exciting and refined.
This is what happens when one steals the silverware basket to check and see if it fits in the RV drawer. Which it does, but only in one of them. So that drawer is now the official holder of utensils.
Not to get too deep here, but this drawer neatly – I mean chaotically – represents my life at present. Transistion. What that really means is that there are plenty of opportunities for untidiness, cleaning out the cobwebs, decluttering, and paring down life to what is really important.
– Things appear to be a jumbled mess.
– We have to dig around to find what we need. But that leads to . . .
– Glimpses of treasured items and favorite memories.
– Everything feels topsy turvy.
– So many pieces, but they can’t all go with me. Sorting becomes necessary.
– I want to get cracking and put it all back in order.
– But I don’t have time. Yet.
– The search and rescue approach to gathering dining necessities is in force.
My life looks like my silverware drawer. But that’s just outside appearances. All is well, and in time, all will be sorted.
In the meantime, why not enjoy the adventure?
Whether your novel is humorous or serious, a bit of levity can add to a child’s reading enjoyment. Let your characters help you inject humor into the story, by giving them unexpected traits, such a…
Source: Unexpected Character Traits Bring In The Funny by @lauriewallmark and GIVEAWAY
I am learning so much this month at the #KidlitSummerSchool! Each day there has been an entertaining, informative, and interesting post about ways to put heart and humor into my writing. It is definitely worth my time.
When I was in elementary school, all the 4th-6th graders took part in a musical extravaganza called The Legend Train, where different narrators would ride around on this wooden train, pulled by the…
Source: Don’t Be Afraid to Be Embarrassed by Jo Whittemore
Use your embarrassing moments as humor in your writing. Great post!
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Colors from our garden |
By Angie Quantrell @AngieQuantrell
Go on vacation, buy an RV trailer.
Go to see my friends, the hubby sells the house.
What next?
The rest of the story . . .
When we sold our first home, I was at a conference in New Mexico with some wonderful ladies. Kevin repeatedly called me, updating the news and asking questions. Finally, his calls took on a list-like look.
“Honey, I sold the fridge.”
“Honey, I sold the boat.”
“Honey, I sold the . . .”
In desperation, I turned to my ladies, who were totally tuned in to the situation. “I’ve got to get home before he sells the kids!”
Many, many years later, the story is similar.
Last week was vacation. We enjoyed a few days with my cousin. We shopped for RVs but didn’t find one we could live in for any length of time. We discussed in great detail EVERY single option of selling our home and finally beginning our bucket list plan to build a small home. And I mean EVERY detail.
After returning home, we made an appointment with our realtor to ask questions and prepare to sell. That was Thursday.
The following Monday we met again and listed the house. The signs went up and photos were taken.
Tuesday was the realtor walk through day, so I loaded up the cats and headed to the other Quantrell’s for most of the day. Not only did several realtors visit our home, we had a showing with a different realtor. Just as I was putting quiche in the oven, we received a text for another showing. We quickly ate, grabbed the cats, and vacated the premises.
On Wednesday, I headed to visit college friends, leaving Kevin in charge of the home selling adventure. Kevin was texted for yet another showing. This one lasted almost 2 hours.
On Thursday morning, we received an offer! After another already scheduled showing later that day, paperwork was completed, and we accepted the offer for our home.
Guess where I was? Not at home. I was with friends on the other side of the mountains. Texts flew back and forth.
“We got an offer.”
“We are meeting to discuss the deal.”
“You need to sign these papers.”
I really need to not leave my husband at home alone! There’s no telling what he is planning on selling next . . .
Providing all goes well with the various sale-of-home proceedings, we will soon be living the RV life.
I guess that means we really are old Nana and Papa grandparents. (And we love it!)
Recently, I saw Penn & Teller live. It was a riveting show filled with mystical “ooohs,” enlightened “aaaahs,” and of course, plenty of laughs. The magician-entertainers are dubbed as a comedy …
Source: Tipping The Scales Between Heart And Humor by @leezaworks and GIVEAWAY
Do I have a secret for pulling on heartstrings? You bet. It’s furry, or feathery, or scaly, and it’s often my favorite character in my story. I give my child hero a pet. First, a disclaimer—I’m a f…
Excellent post about including pets as sidekicks. This post made me realize that I have a LIST. On that list are those books and movies in which a beloved pet (Hedwig, Old Yeller, etc.) or main character (almost any of the YA titles or the newest Star Wars – grrrr) die or are killed off. WHY?????? It’s like losing a family member!
But that is beside the point. Pets are perfect companions in almost any story. Great post!
Have you ever heard the piece of writing advice that goes, “readers come for the plot, but stay for the characters?” This means that often times readers are drawn to a story by a cool premise or pr…
Source: Crafting Characters We Can’t Help But Root For by @megan_shepherd
Great insights into creating memorable characters! Thanks, Megan!
I’ve often described heart as the thing that gives the reader a reason to care about the character and the story. But caring – or, at least, admitting that we care – can sometimes be uncomfortable,…
Source: A Spoonful of Sugar by @SudiptaBQ and GIVEAWAY
How to infuse humor into books for children! Great information and examples.
Love, Laughter, and Life 