Once again the country has been ravaged by tornadoes leaving death and destruction along the way. My heart goes out to those who are dealing with the loss of loved ones and the reality of the clean-up. I pray for your strength and determination to carry you through.
Spring can be such a gorgeous time of year with so much beauty and sunshine, but the downpours and storms are inevitable.
On Tuesday, I will be a guest at the Helena Fairfax blog. Wow, did she ever ask questions that made me think deep for the answer.
On Thursday my crit partner's newest book, Climbing Heartbreak Hill, will be released. She'll be my guest for the Hobby Hoedown that day, Launch Day! What's Hobby Hoedown?? Check it out below.
On Friday children's authorTara Chevrestt will be my guest at the Girls Succeed Blog. I enjoyed her book so much I invited her to tell my readers all about her historical fiction, Ride for Rights.
To get you in the mood for the Hobby Hoedown, click on the music of Aaron Copland's Hoedown.
YouTube video: Hoedown by American composer, Aaron Copland
Alright, all you guys and gals, you're invited to a hoedown
every Thursday this summer right here at the J.Q. Rose blog.
A hoedown is a communitydanceparty which usually featuresfolkandsquare dances, but our hoedown is featuring authors and their hobbies and books. You'll definitely see another side of your favorite author and learn about authors new to you.
I hope you'll join us for a great line-up of hobbies and stories this summer! Check out the right page margin for these creative writers and come back for the fun and giveaways! Ya'all come back now, ya' hear?
Please welcome fantasy author Karina Fabian to our Hobby Hoedown feature. She's stopping by while she is on her Greater Treasures Book Tour May 1-31. Here’s your chance to
win a free electronic copy of Greater Treasures.Leave a comment or question for Karina, Vern,
or Sister Grace. I'll pick the winner at 9 pm EDST on Thursday, May 16.
Greater Treasures by Karina Fabian
Part of the DragonEye series of novels and stories
Oh, wait a minute, Readers. Her main character, Vern the Dragon, is whispering in my ear...Hope he's not a fiery dragon while I'm listening.
There has been a change. Karina sends her greetings to all of you but it seems Vern would like to share his hobby with us while Karina is on her tour. He's quite a character, so let's find out about Vern's hobby.
(Side note: Karina will be back with HER hobby in August.)
Welcome, Vern!
Dragon Hobby—Collecting, What Else?
By Vern
Considering I’m a dragon, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that
I’m a collector. Yeah, treasure’s great,
though perhaps not for the reasons you think.
We’re really not so interested in collecting a big pile of gold for its
value as much as its color, its coolness, the way it rubs in our scales…oh, now
I’m homesick for my pile! To a dragon,
there’s nothing as cozy. (Although I am
fond of my pile of mattresses and pillows that makes my nest here in the Mundane,
except when the roof leaked and they got damp.
Dragons do not like damp.)
As far as collecting for collecting’s sake, I personally was
into rare artifacts with interesting stories.
I had a love letter from Baldur to Hella. Yep, he actually missed the Emo Maid of Norse
Mythology. She has it now, though. I traded it for her father, Loki, who was
doing his latest pennance in Helheim among the blind-deaf-mutes. Oh, and her brother’s intestines to tie Loki
up in. It’s a Norse thing. You can read about it in Live and Let Fly—after you finish this article.
My territory spanned the Mediterranean, so I have a lot of
trinkets from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. I have a statue of Anubis that I liked to
mention to him now and again. It’s a
terrible likeness, yet caught his inner person, I thought. He disagrees rather vehemently. I have a Sumarian fertility symbol, not that
an androgynous creature like me has need for it. I have a little replica of the Ark of the
Covenant; yep, they had souvenir drek in Solomon’s time. I got a wizard to bespell it so it looks
bigger than it really is; I loved watching people’s reactions.
Ever wonder why dragons favor caves? Climate control. I’ve got a lot of wonderful pieces back in my
cave at Caraparavalenciana that would have otherwise succumbed to time,
weather, and the handling of humanoid hands.
See? Dragon collecting has
purpose.
Of course, all that is temporarily on hold for now. Vows of poverty working for the Church and
all that. Doesn’t stop me from collecting,
however. Now, my collections are more
intellectual: information, memories,
unique experiences. And if I can’t have
the souvenir, at least I’ll have something to ruminate on when my stint serving
God through the Church is done.
Thanks, Vern. Be sure to check out
Vern’s other tales at Dragon Eye P I
When Grace’s life is in danger, Vern will do just about anything to find a cure— but will he sacrifice the fate of two worlds for her life? #dragoneye
Blurb: Being a private detective in the border town of the Faerie and Mundane worlds isn’t easy, even for a dragon like Vern. Still, finding the wayward brother of a teary damsel in distress shouldn’t have gotten so dangerous. When his partner, Sister Grace, gets poisoned by a dart meant for him, Vern offers to find an artifact in exchange for a cure. However, this is no ordinary trinket—with a little magic power, it could control all of mankind. Can Vern find the artifact, and will he sacrifice the fate of two worlds for the life of his best friend?
Winner of the 2010 INDIE for best Fantasy (Magic, Mensa and Mayhem), Karina Fabian has imagination that takes
quirky twists that keep her--and her fans--amused. Nuns working in space, a
down-and-out Faerie dragon working off a geas from St. George, zombie
exterminators—there’s always a surprise in Fabian’s worlds. Mrs. Fabian teaches
writing and book marketing seminars, but mostly is concerned with supporting
her husband, Rob Fabian as he makes the exciting leap from military officer to
civilian executive, getting her kids through high school and college, and
surviving daily circuit torture…er, circuit training. Read about her adventures at http://fabianspace.com.
~~Win over a 100 prizes by taking part in the Giveaway Hop.
What a fantastic opportunity.
Click on over to the Girls Succeedblog to enter the drawing for my non-fiction book for girls, Girls Succeed: Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women.
Just enter a comment to be eligible to win!
~~Beginning next Thursday, May 23, and continuing every Thursday this summer, authors will be showcasing their creativity, but not just in writing. We'll explore the pastimes of authors when they share their hobbies with readers. Check out the right margin to discover my guests and the dates they will be visiting the J.Q. Rose blog.
Generous authors will award giveaways too.
~~Somehow Vern the Dragon from Karina Fabian's Dragon Eye PI series got word of our hobby event this summer and decided to share his hobby
during the Greater Treasures Book Tour. He'll kick off the Hobby Hoe-down on Wednesday, May 15. And you can win the e-book, Greater Treasures.
~~May is my birthday month, so beginning today, right now, leave a comment and you will win the opportunity to name the shadow person in my work-in-progress! Having that character's name will be a birthday gift I will truly appreciate!
After your name is drawn on Monday, May 27 at 9 pm, I'll give you the info about the character so you can conjure up a name for him. Your name will appear in the acknowledgement section of my new mystery. Put on your thinking caps!!
What a month of fun and prizes. Thanks for visiting the J.Q. Rose blog!
This weekend we honor mothers and women who are important in our lives. If you have a mom, grandma, aunt, or woman in your life, grab her and give her a big hug and kiss.
My mother above and my mother-in-law below. I miss them.
Today I recall all the times my mother and I shared shopping, eating, wedding planning, births of our daughters, trips, talking, and so much more. Memories are powerful to keep your loved one's spirit with you. On this Mother's Day weekend I remember my mother-in-law, a loving. caring woman. She was kind and thoughtful to me and gave the best hugs ever! She was taken too soon from this earth by cancer. Although these women are gone physically from my life, I can still feel their warmth around me every day and see them in the faces of my children and grandchildren. I was blessed to have them in my life.
You can probably tell I am having a severe case of Spring Fever this year. Perhaps it's because spring has taken its time showing up in Michigan, so I really appreciate the mild temps and popping flowers and flowering trees.
This weekend the weather was perfect--for me--so I HAD to get out and capture the spring "feel" as much as I could with a camera. I'm sharing some of the 46 photos I took around my neighborhood. No, not all 46!!
We have a lovely little park near my house, Arboretum Park. The last photos are from that area. The wiildflowers are amazing! I hope you enjoy a little touch of spring courtesy of my camera.
Tulip time in Michigan. In fact this week is the annual Tulip Festival in Holland, MI.
Flowering trees are loaded with blooms this year. Spectacular!
Nothing beats the sweet fragrance of hyacinths. I could smell these beauties way before I saw them!
Wild violets abound at Arboretum Park. I don't care if they DO invade the lawns. They are so delicate and cute.
You can see how the violets are carpeting the groundscape.
Not sure what wilflowers these white beauties are. They make you smile when you see them.
Trillium are really putting on a show this spring.
The little creek running through the park is very full, and running fast. So peaceful.
The park is a restful, quiet place to plan another story.
Lots of events happening in May besides Mother's Day and my birthday (watch for a present FROM me to you). We begin a summer long event discovering hobbies of my author friends. Yes, authors are creative in more than just writing stories. Every Thursday I'll introduce you to their pastimes.
Spring has sprung in Michigan! Hooray! My mother used to say,
"Spring has sprung,
The grass is riz.
I wonder where the flowers is."
At least we have the forsythia in bloom now and daffodils and hyacinths are making their presence known. The sweet fragrance fills the air. Alas, my tulips are about ready to pop.
My hubby's greenhouse is in the backyard.
He's waiting for the ground to dry out so he can roto-till the garden.
Agony for him to wait. He did put on yards and yards of compost this week to amend the soil.
We sure are missing the fresh lettuce from our garden,
but soon it will be in the ground and we'll be munching again.
Boo sneaks out of the house and discovers that freedom by himself can be scary.
It is my distinct pleasure to feature a brand new picture book by Penny Lockwood today. Penny has an information-packed article on Crafting a Picture Book for you AND a giveaway! Thanks so much, Penny!
Janet, thanks for hosting me. I’m thrilled we are able to do a blog exchange and that your fans can find you today on my blog at Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz Blog
At the end of my blog tour, I will pick out one commenter’s name and send an autographed copy of Boo’s Bad Day to a United States address only. If the name I pick is someone who lives outside the U.S., I will send a PDF copy of the book. So remember, readers, be sure to leave contact information when you comment! If your readers missed my post yesterday, they can check it out at C.K. Volnek's Blog Tomorrow, I’ll be visiting at Hazel Nutt's blog There is a review of Boo’s Bad Day posted at Sue's Book Reviews
****
CRAFTING A PICTURE BOOK By Penny Lockwood
Have you considered venturing into the world of picture book writing. Writing a couple hundred words is not as easy as it may appear. According to Lee Wyndham in Writing For Children and Teenagers, Dr. Seuss guessed he wrote and drew more than 1,000 pages for each 64-page book he finished! Picture books require a plot, strong characters, a beginning, a middle and an end. Putting all of those pieces into a book of less than a few hundred words can be a daunting task. There are several types of picture books. This subject is covered in depth by Laura Backes in her article, “Understanding Children’s Writing Genres.” (Writing World, http://www.writing-world.com/children/genres.shtml) Once you choose the type of book you wish to write, you’ll know how many words you have in which to create your story. Third person voice is typical for most writers. It allows for a broader look at the story and characters. If your story isn’t working in the third person POV, try rewriting in the first person, second person, or as a letter, journal or diary. Most publishers don't want rhyming stories as they are the most difficult to properly craft. You need a strong plot to keep the reader’s attention. What your character wants and how she gets it moves your story forward. Solving that conflict should take at least three tries, with each attempt becoming harder to accomplish. There are several conflict scenarios: conflict with oneself, with others, with the larger world, and with nature. Most often plot material consists of everyday situations such as play, family, pets, toys, friendship, and fears. Moving the story forward can sometimes be the most difficult, but if you have your ending in mind, you'll know where you're going. There are several successful endings to your book: 1. Your main character solves the problem; 2. Everything leads to it; 3. Your main character changes; 4. No lucky coincidences or adults to save the day; and 5. Give the reader hope. When you're writing your story, focus on telling it and don't talk down to the kids. You need to write clearly, so your illustrator will be able to see the story in his or her head. The words in a picture book are only half the story. The illustrations will bring the story to life, especially for the very young. Read other books written for the same age group, both the ones which are good and those which are not. Take note of what makes one a winner, while the other mediocre. Have a firm grip on grammar and punctuation. Listen to the children around you. See what makes them laugh, cry, or be afraid. Learn to connect with your readersno matter what age they are. Read your finished manuscript out loud, give it to a trusted critique partner to read, read it to children (other than your own), then let it sit for a week or more. Study the picture book markets as carefully as you would any other market. Some writers choose to self-publish their books, while others publish with traditional publishers. Explore your options to find what is the best fit for your book. Most traditional publishers use their own illustrators, so if you want to do both the illustrations and the writing, you may be better off going the self-published route. If you choose to submit your picture book to a traditional publisher, is there a market for it? Yes, but the number of people who believe they can write a good picture book is greater than the number of small presses that will take children's picture books. If you’re willing to work to sell your book once it’s published, approach the small independent publishers. It isn't always the writer who is best who succeeds, but the one who is ready to work at being the best. BOO’S BAD DAY By Penny Lockwood Picture book for children aged 18 months to 7 years Back of the Cover--Boo is a very bored kitten. When Timmy and his mom return home, Boo sneaks out of the house. Boo is frightened by the noises of the big world outside of the safety of his warm home. When Timmy coaxes Boo back into the house, Boo realizes some places are safe and some are not. Published by 4RV Publishing Look inside at Amazon
ABOUT PENNY
Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz has published more than 100 articles, 75 stories, a chapbook, and her stories have been included in two anthologies. She writes for both adults and children. Her fiction has appeared in numerous genre and children’s publications, and non- fiction work has appeared in a variety of writing, parenting, and young adult print magazines and on line publications. She edits for MuseItUp Publishing.
She has recently released Boo’s Bad Day with 4RV Publishing and has three other children’s books under contract with them: Ghost for Rent, Ghost for Lunch, and Many Colored Coats. She has three romances published by MuseItUp Publishing: Love Delivery, Lady in Waiting, and Mirror, Mirror. Her short story collection, A Past and A Future, is available through Sam’s Dot Publishing and Smashwords.
