If you write picture books, you’ll have the privilege of working with some of the finest artists in the world. You get the opportunity to guide these talented illustrators as they create a variety …
Love this post about how to allow illustrators to use their creativity to add humor to picture book texts. And I learned a new word – pulchritudinous. Try using that today!
by Angie Quantrell @AngieQuantrell
It Came in the Mail
By Ben Clanton
(Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2016)
Who doesn’t love mail and wish for something exciting to show up in the mail box?
Liam does, that’s for sure. But, as he put it, after checking daily (and more), he got diddly-squat.
After an idea brainstorm, Liam decided he needed to write some mail in order to get some. So Liam wrote a letter to his mailbox and asked for something BIG.
The mailbox delivered.
And delivered. And delivered. Until finally, Liam had so much mail, he had a different problem to solve.
I love It Came in the Mail. Lots of wonderful illustrations filled in the blanks and added details for readers to enjoy. Liam and his buddy, Jamel, were fun characters. The common thread of a childhood wish (to get mail, just like a grown-up) was solved in a very inventive way!
Readers will love It Came in the Mail. Who knows? Maybe your child will even want to write a letter to the mailbox. Just be prepared for an answer.
KID KANDY:
Write a Letter
Materials: writing paper, pencil, crayons, envelope, stamp
1. Choose the person (friend, aunt, uncle, grandma, grandpa, dad, mom, or the mailbox) for whom you want to write a letter.
2. Write a letter to that person.
3. Decorate the letter.
4. Fold the letter and place it in the envelope. Ask an adult to help you address the envelope and place the stamp in the correct place.
5. Mail the letter.
6. Wait.
7. Check the mailbox for an answer. Every day.
P.S. You can write more letters while you are waiting. Or draw pictures of what you think you will get in the mail. Or use your imagination to think of things you’d like to see come out of the mailbox.
Getting mail is so much fun! I’d love to hear what showed up in your mailbox!
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12’s become significant… |
by Angie Quantrell @AngieQuantrell
Lately, I’ve been thinking in 12’s.
12 towels (the hubby uses many each week, plus there are the grands . . .)
12 dish clothes
12 sets of silverware (in case we have company)
12 wash clothes (we are messy)
I don’t know why 12 seems like such a good number. Except 12 towels will hold us if I can’t get to the laundry for a bit. Dishes shouldn’t be a problem, though we do go through them each day.
I am a 12th Fan (Go, Seahawks!). Maybe that’s the influence of 12.
A dozen. That usually means good things. A dozen eggs, donuts, months in a year . . .
Hmmm. 12’s were always the hardest for me to remember when it came to multiplication facts. I still have to think hard (or cheat) to figure out 12’s.
Moving into an RV trailer is a huge commitment. The storage space. Oh, boy. I mean the lack of storage space. That is the challenge. But we are up for adventure.
To end on a positive note, let’s have a list of 12 great and wonderful reasons to live in an RV!
1. Life will be one big adventure.
2. It will feel like camping. all. the. time.
3. We can move our house any time we want a change of scenery.
4. Less square footage means less area to clean!
5. Change. Change is good. Change makes you think outside of the box in which you currently reside.
6. Weeding. This is necessary to reduce personal effects to a sufficiently tiny amount that they fit inside the RV.
7. Cooking requirements will force creativity!
8. Potential for blog posts (the good, the bad, the ugly) will increase exponentially the longer we abide in each other’s hip pockets.
9. The porch. Sitting under the awning enjoying the evening quiet (and chatter of young grands) will be exquisite.
10. Free time! No sense in shopping – there’s no place to put it.
11. Clothing choices will be easy each day. With a limited wardrobe, it’s recycle outfits over and over again.
12. Fairy tale living. It’s true! I will be snuggled up to my honey in our home sweet home.
13. And for the baker’s dozen – Living in an RV will get us ready to live in our small home.
Now. That being said . . . I’d love to hear your RV living suggestions, tips, and strategies! Pretty please!
Ever try to tell someone a story only to end up saying “I guess you had to be there” when they don’t respond with the emotion you want them to? Do you want to know why that is? It all comes down to…
Source: Brushing Up on “Show, Don’t Tell” by @marciecolleen1
This blog post gives several excellent examples of how to SHOW and not TELL when writing! Worth your read.
One of my grandma’s favorite sayings when an imminent disaster on our Indiana farm turned into a hilarious moment was, “Well, I just found a Shetland pony in that pile of poop.” Everyone would laug…
Source: Finding a Shetland Pony in a Pile of Poop by @rcpjallen plus a #Giveaway
#KidLitSummerSchool strikes again! Funny and helpful post for writers.
Author Josh Funk shares ten ways to support picture book authors and illustrators …
Source: How to Buy a Picture Book (without Buying a Picture Book)
This post contains a great list of ways to share books to spread the word!
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.
Love, Laughter, and Life 