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!

Author Event: Meet Rick Riordan!

A Whale of a Tale Bookshoppe in Irvine, CA is hosting an awesome author event to meet Rick Riordan. He is the author of the Percy Jackson Series and the new spin off series The Lost Hero. I literally devoured each and every book in the series and am eager to get my hands on The Son of Neptune.  The event takes place Saturday, Oct. 8th, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. at Oso Viejo Park in Mission Viejo. Visit the Whale of Tale Bookshoppe website for tickets.  The ticket price includes a copy of his latest release, Son of Neptune

With more and more booksellers going digital, it can be quite easy to go about our daily lives without remembering local independent booksellers still exist.  I know I've been guilty of this myself.  A Whale of a Tale Bookshoppe not only sells books but frequently hosts author and book events for children and adults alike.  In the coming weeks their events will feature many prominent authors and illustrators including Robin Preiss Glasser, Hillary Duff, Molly Shannon, Wendy Mass and more.  I encourage you to check it out and support your local bookseller!

My First contract

I'm over the moon! I received my first contract this week.  It is for for a short story entitled, Max and Digby's Big Day.  It is about a young man, Max, who trained his miniature bull terrier, Digby, in agility and is taking him to his first match.  What happens when Digby seemingly forgets his training? The story will appear in the November 2011 issue of Stories for Children Magazine. (Updated: The November issue is now available for purchase HERE.)

I have more good news to announce soon.  I hope my mailbox continues to buzz with exciting news this month...

Happy September everyone! I hope you are having as bountiful a month as I am thankful to be having!

-Christine

So Long Summer...Hello September!

So long Summer! This will go down in my books as the first summer I spent seriously devoted to writing! If I were an apple farmer I would say I had an abundant harvest this summer.  Here is just a partial list of things I accomplished.

❦ I attended my first SCBWI Summer Conference.

❦ I joined a Peer Critique Group!

❦ I connected with another Children's Writer in my neighborhood!

❦ I read 30+ picture books.

❦ I took 2 online writing courses.

❦ I wrote 4 new short stories and made progress on my Middle Grade WIP.

❦ I learned how to use a "twitter hashtag."

❦ I received my first acceptance...more news to come soon on that front!

It was a beautiful summer.  It felt so right to surround myself with writing, reading, and learning about children's literature.

Hello September! I'm back to work. I'm ready!  Just like a great harvest leads to delicious apple pie, I'm hoping my summer will lead to a fruitful fall!