12x12 Update

As many of you know, I am participating in Julie Hedlund's 12x12 challenge for the second time around. Last year I completed my goal of writing 12 new picture book manuscripts in 2012. One of them -- my June MS is currently being polished and is almost ready to be sent on submissions. Since it has been a topic on my mind this week, my Wordless Wednesday post is dedicated to that project.






So how am I doing with the challenge this year, so far?

Jan: Completed!

Feb: Nothing yet.

March: Nothing yet.

As you can see, I'm a little behind on the pb writing this year, but exciting things are happening for me on the writing front. After a nearly two month new idea drought, two finally came to me this week. One involves trains, the other involves aliens -- which makes make smile immensely. I think being a picture book writer is one of the most delightful things on earth. I'm so happy to be following my passion and to have found a group of like-minded individuals who are doing the same.

Pick of the Month: January 2012

I have a confession to make...this post is almost a month late.  My oh-so-wonderful-plan was to choose my favorite books I've read, as part of the 75 Book Challenge, and write a lovely post about them each month.  I still love the idea and intend on following through with it.  So, without further ado, here are my top picks for January 2012.  It was a hard decision, as I read a number of 'curl up with a cup of cocoa and eagerly read me' kind of stories last month.  Wait -- that's every month!

Picture Book: Shark vs. Train by Chris Barton

Sharks and Trains! I think I hear those words at least once or twice a day at work.  Kids loves sharks and trains! What a great idea to pair the two in a picture book!  In Shark vs. Train the two characters challenge each other in the ultimate competition to see who can 'out-do' the other.

In some cases Train has the advantage, like marshmallow roasting.
In others it's Shark, like trick-or-treating.
Who will win? Check out this fun book to find out!


Novel - Middle Grade: The Giver by Lois Lowry


How did I get this far in life without having read this beautifully written dystopian novel, which also happens to be a Newberry Honor Book?  Looking back at my teen years it was probably because I was too busy reading Sweet Valley High Books, while also sneaking Dean Koontz and Stephen King books from my mother's bookshelves.  I also remember having a habit of 'judging a book by its cover'. I probably glanced at it and decided not to give it a chance (silly me!)

What I loved about the book most was Jonah's voice throughout the story.  Lowry pulled you in his world so quickly and seamlessly that you literally lived and experienced Jonas's world as he did.  I suspected from the beginning that the utopian society he was living in was in fact a dystopian one, but nonetheless delighted in how Jonas discovered it.  It was like slowly unwrapping a candy wrapped in several layers of foil, only to find that the once you reach the center it has melted.

If you are a fan of Dystopian fiction and have not read The Giver I highly, highly recommend it.

12 x 12 in 12

It's official! I've signed up to for the 12 x 12 in 2012 Challenge hosted by Julie Hedlund!

What is this challenge all about?
The premise is simple. Write 12 full picture books (with a beginning, middle, and end) in 2012. It's ok if they're not submission ready. The idea is just to put pen to page, while motivating yourself and other writers in the process.  You can even earn prizes!! How about that?

I know, I know -- writing 12 full length picture books sounds like a daunting task, but as long as you have the intention of completing them, it's worthwhile to sign up!  I have heard of so many writers' success stories from their PiBoIdMo ideas, including its founder, Tara Lazar.

So far I have have completed one story in 2012 for the 12x12in12 Challenge, and two from the PiBoIdMo 2011 Challenge.  Who knows? Maybe one of them may be my next published story...

Good luck to everyone, whatever your 2012 endeavors might be.  Enjoy the process!

Progress Report 3/12/12 -- 3 down 9 to go!

Susanna Hill's Holiday Writing Contest

Author Susanna Leonard Hill is having a Holiday writing contest where you could win prizes!
     
Be creative and write a post with your own version (350 words or less) of The Night Before Christmas (it can be about any winter holiday).  Please visit Ms. Hill’s website for all the details HERE.

     
My entry is posted below.  I have been interested in writing a picture book about the endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal for quite some time, but have not done it yet.  So, for my entry today the monk seal takes center stage, as I play around with the idea of what a monk seal might want for Christmas. Enjoy!!

A Monk Seal’s Christmas Wish

by 
Christine Marie Alemshah

Twas the day before Christmas, when on the small isle,

A monk seal landed ashore, on a sand pile.

The hotel staff prepared yellow tape, 

As onlookers all stared, gasped, and gaped.

The monk seal stayed all day and all night.

He was even there at the first Christmas light.

“What could a monk seal want for Christmas?” asked a small girl.

“Some fish, or shave ice, or maybe a pearl?”

She pondered and pondered, but then soon forgot, 

As she went to her room to see want Santa brought.

A stocking full of treats and trimmings,

A teddy bear, and new fins for swimming.

She busied her day with family and good cheer.

And sang her very best, “Rudolph the Reindeer.”

At dinner, she ate til her tummy might burst,

And then was filled with a very great thirst.

She walked on the beach sipping hot cider,

When she noticed the monk seal right there beside her.

The little girl still had no clue.

“Mr. Monk Seal, what can I do for you?”

Finally, at day’s end, something came from the sea.

A big wiggly shape plopped near a palm tree.

Can it be -- another monk seal?

The little girl thought she might squeal.

She was happy to see the seal got his wish,

And hoped that the two could share yummy fish.

She snuck away quietly, til she was out of sight,

and whispered, “Merry Christmas Monk Seals! Have a Good-night!”

PiBoIdMo: I'm a Winner!

From Tara Lazar's PiBoIdMo site:
I do solemnly swear that I have faithfully executed the PiBoIdMo 30-ideas-in-30-days challenge, and will, to the best of my ability, parlay my ideas into picture book manuscripts.


Signed: Christine Marie Alemshah


Phew!! I can't believe I made it through! In 30 Days I have managed to come up with 32 picture book ideas. It was much harder than I thought it would be.  The first two weeks were smooth sailing.  Then, thanksgiving week came and it was like my ideas were separated from my brain by a brick wall.  (It probably didn't help my mushy brain spending the week in Kauai.  My whole body felt like jello!)  Luckily some days I had multiple ideas, which helped make up for my idea-free days.  I also came up with some fun Hawaii inspired ideas.

I am in love with exactly 1 of my 32 ideas.  I am hoping that will change at some point, but for now I'm going to focus on that story.  Wish me luck!

Dinosaurs!

For two days in a row my picture book ideas have been about dinosaurs. Bah! There are so many picture books about dinosaurs already. Good ones too! How will my little ideas ever compete?  Oh well, I will think about that later...

It's just, well -- let's face it, children are fascinated by dinosaurs.  In the past week, I don't think a day went that I did not hear a mention of them by one or more of the children I work with.  No wonder I had a PB idea about dinosaurs!! I will keep my ideas tucked away for a rainy day.  In the mean time, check out the following awesome picture books about dinosaurs.

1) Dinosaur vs. Bedtime by Bob Shea
2) Dino-Basketball by Lisa Wheeler
3) How do Dinosaurs say I Love You? by Jane Yolen

PiBoIdMo

It's officially here! Picture Book Idea Month!

What is it? 
The premise is quite simple. In November 2011 you vow to come up with 30 picture ideas in 30 ideas.

October was such a busy month for me, I'm excited to take the plunge and come up with 30 new picture book ideas this month.  I'm ready for the challenge, and yet also nervous about keeping up!

How am I doing so far?  
I had one idea "sneak" up on me Mon Oct. 31, so not sure if I can count it.  Yesterday, I had two ideas.  Yay! Let's hope I can keep it up!

Fellow Picture Book Writers (and any Writers interested in writing picture books.):  
You can find the official sign ups for PiBoIdMo at Tara Lazar's blog by clicking here. You will also find guest author posts, a chance at prizes, and support from other writers. Check it out!

Library Picture Book Round-up: Week One

I have made it my mission this summer to visit the public library at least once a week.  My goal is to read and study picture books to better understand their construction, find out what kids like, and improve my writing.

This week I read:
Press Here by Hervé Tullet
Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas
Epossumondas plays Possum by Coleen Sally
Father's Day by Anne Rockwell
Herbert, the True Story of a Brave Sea Dog by Robyn Belton
and Calvin Can't Fly by Jennifer Berne

What I saw with my writer eyes...
I was delighted to see the similarities in the structure of these books. I was able to identify right away which books followed a traditional "picture book" paradigm and which were "concept" books. I took notes on when the books were published, by what publisher, and their word counts -- all useful, valuable information for me.

This week's standouts were:
1) Press Here by Hervé Tullet
 I thought this book was wonderfully imaginative and interactive (the phrase "why didn't I think of that?" comes to mind.) I know I will be sharing this book with my kindergarten group in the Fall.



2) Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas
I was in awe of this book. It made me laugh. It had lovable, relatable characters. And it had an awesome story. It hooked you in right away through the words and illustrations, all in approx. 100 words. That is not an easy feat! If you are looking for a fun, quick read, with the added bonus of teaching a bit of rhyme, I highly recommend this book.

I also quietly observed to see what kinds of books children, parents, and teens were drawn to.  The buzz this week: Princess Books, Star Wars, and Halo.

Adventures in Rhyme

If you're an aspiring children's writer like me, I'm sure you have heard the following plenty of times: Stay away from rhyme. It no longer sells and new writers rarely get it right.

Truth be told I never have had a gift for rhyme or poetry. But, I have a silly story idea, which I have written in prose. The magic and silliness is just not working the way it is currently written.  Every time I stare at the letters on the page, I think to myself, "how can I fix this?" Each time I do this the story starts trying to make a rhyme or song in my head.

So, I'm going to give it try. I have only written one other story in rhyme, because the whole story idea came to me that way, so this will certainly be an adventure.

This time I plan on doing a little research. Margot Finke has a fabulous article with resources on writing for children using meter and rhyme.

So long, good night.

I'm off to write!

Picture Book word counts in Current Children's Book Market

It was June 2010 when I finally had an idea for a picture book and I had to get it down on paper. Before that time I stared at my computer screen for years trying to come up with stories and characters that just didn't work. I was so eager to get my idea in story form that I "winged it". I figured hey, I had taken a course in Writing Books for children and I tell stories to kids all the time. I can do this. No problem.

Well guess what? My story had promising structure but the word count was way off.  In the current picture book marker most publishers are looking for pictures books with word counts of 1000 words or less. Many of those prefer them even shorter with a target range of 500 words or less.

The first draft of my picture book was 1275 words!! I was in trouble.

Now that I have fully immeresed myself in the world of children's writing I can look back and realize a little more prep work would have been helpful. Studying 2011 Children's Writer's And Illustrator's Market helped me to get a better idea of what publishers wanted as far as word counts for picture books. Networking with other writers and attending writing classes and workshops also helped me to focus.

My initial first picture book draft is now in it's 6th revision. The word count is still high at 917 words, but is under 1000 words now. The story remained intact and it's actually a better read. Now when I write I consciously try to keep the writing tight in all my picture books. My two latest stories are 650 words and 472 words respectively. It is definitely something you have to "write, write, and write more" in order to get better at.

What are your experiences in writing children's picture books? What are their word counts?

Update 6/30: The above mentioned picture book is on it's 7th revision now and is approx. 800 words. While it upset me to cut it (oh no! That part is vital!) the story is actually a much tighter, better read now. 

Research!

Last week I got the chance to visit a Scholatic Book Sale Event. All the books for sale were 50% off their cover price!

You know that feeling you get when kids are playing with a toy? Maybe with a barbie doll for example -- my personal favorite? Sometimes they ask you, "will you play with me?" Secretly on the inside you're ecstatic, even if all you out say out loud is, "sure." It's fun to get the opportunity to let loose and be a kid again. That's how I felt at the book sale. I enjoyed picking my books out lovingly. I will also be able to use them as "research" for my writing. I am looking forward to sitting and enjoying them from the comfort of my own home.

One of my purchases was Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann, which is actually referenced in Eve Bine Stock's How to Write a Children's Picture Book: Learning from The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Corduroy, Where the Wild Things Are, The Carrot Seed, Good Night, Gorilla, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, and Other Favorite Stories. Stock's book is the first in a series of three that teaches aspiring picture book writers how to structure their books.  I am delighted to have a copy of Goodnight, Gorilla that I can go back to again and again.

Another of my finds was the The Strange Case of Origami Yoda. This is a story that I always hear children talking about, mainly boys but some girls as well. At the end of the book you can find instructions on how to make your own origami yoda. I was definitely intrigued and am curious to read this story.

I also found a picture book that had two stories in one ~ What Sisters Do Best/What Brothers Do Best.

One of the golden rules for any writer is to "read, read, read" in your genre, which I highly agree with. I now have several new books to study, analyze, and enjoy!

I love this kind of research! Don't you?

The Magic of Story Time

Imagine the following scene...

A room full of children varying in ages from 5-11 playing with toys. Two children are throwing toys, two others rolling around on the floor, and still two more are playing very loudly and not following directions. The adults in the room have tried redirecting to new activities, attention getters, giving warnings, separating children, etc. And yet the room does not get any calmer.

Enter the storybook...

The group has been gathered together for story time. Amongst the moans and groans comments can be heard such as "picture books are for babies" or "I don't want to read a story...it's boring." And yet the storyteller ignores the comments and begins reading the story. She is animated and uses voices to tell her tale. You can feel that she really believes in the power of the story and within minutes ~ actually more like seconds the group of children that had just been so wired up is mesmerized and fully engaged in the story.