Find a Breath of Fresh Air

"If I take the moments to walk, will you bring me a breath of fresh air? If I move to a new space for a while, will you make it interesting and help my mind break out of its patterns? If I take time to look at clouds or flowers, will you fill my creative self with a new idea or two?"

The above comes from a little prayer at the end of a chapter in the book, SIMPLE ACTS OF MOVING FORWARD:  60 SUGGESTIONS FOR GETTING UNSTUCK.

I've posted about this wonderful book in the past and continue to find it so helpful. I had been struggling with stagnant writing, lack of time throughout the holidays and just an overwhelming feeling of inadequacy as 2019 wrapped up. I know I'm not alone in this feeling, but it can still be a very "alone" mentality at times.

As 2020 dawned, StoryStorm brought new ideas and inspiration (thank you, Tara Lazar). With the start of March came Reading for Research Month, known as ReFoReMo (thank you, Carrie Charley Brown and Kirsti Call). Both have re-lit the fire within me and helped get me back on track with my writing and creativity. Today, I read more of this book and came across the chapter and prayer quoted above, and it just reiterated the importance of taking moments of self healing and care which will, in turn, create and open my mind and ability to put life in perspective which, in turn, creates a calmness and sense of relaxation that helps spur my ability to write and create. And it has helped considerably. Much needed!

What works for you? I would love to hear how you fuel the fires of creativity, especially in those trying and busy times of life.

Reading for Research Month 2020

It is go time!  Today begins the start of another Reading for Research Month (ReFoReMo). ReFoReMo is the brain child of Carrie Charley Brown and focuses on the many ways reading mentor texts can inform one's writing. It has been wonderfully enlightening and inspiring each time I have participated. Consider joining the fun!

To learn more, visit http://www.reforemo.com/.

Reading for Research Month

I am excited to be participating in ReFoReMo again this year.  What a wonderful month of inspiration and information.  Join in the fun and dive into the reading-writing connection with wonderful posts and mentor texts.  Registration is accepted through Monday, March 4.

Learn more at http://www.reforemo.com.

Here We Go...

Ready? Set? Go! Today is the start of a new month of reading for research. It is a great month of learning from daily posts and mentor texts as well as discussions from others in the kidlit community.

Learn more at http://www.reforemo.com and join the fun.

Writing, Revising and Revising Some More

In the midst of reading for ReFoReMo (Reading for Research Month) and participating in 12 x 12, I have been pretty pathetic at posting here on my blog.  I apologize and aim to be more consistent in the future!

As ReFoReMo winds down and my piles of mentor texts are ready to go back to the library, I am getting back to organizing my writing and WIP files needing major to minor edits.  I tend to be more productive at writing the initial draft and completing the minor edits than I am at tackling the major edits and re-writes.  How about you?  I seem to always think those more intense edits are going to require too big of a block of time than I have at that given moment and, consequently, it goes to the back burner...again...and again...and again... You get the idea!

Anyway, I started a new book today recommended by a writer friend, WRITING PICTURE BOOKS by Ann Whitford Paul.  I've read only the prologue thus far, but it got me excited about diving into my WIP edits regardless of the amount of re-working needed.

Ms. Paul says in her prologue, "Completing a draft of your story is not the end of the writing process. It is only the beginning. Then you must shape your draft into a publishable manuscript. This is the fun part of writing. This is the time-consuming part of writing. This is what separates the amateur from the professional."

And it is fun.  But it is also such work.  Hard work.  But such rewarding work as well.  I have several manuscripts that need more than the short blocks of time I've had (let me correct myself, that I've made) lately, and I am looking forward to jumping in with both feet.  Perhaps one of the most daunting reasons I continue to procrastinate is also found in Ms. Paul's words,

"Note that revision is not a one-time thing. Every change will call for others."

So. Very. True! But, that is also how a story is born, so press on and dive in, I will.

I would love to hear how you tackle your revision process if you are willing to share a comment.

Reading for Research Month Challenge

The mission of ReFoReMo taken from the website is as follows...

The ReFoReMo Challenge, or Reading for Research Month Challenge, was founded in 2015 to help picture book writers reform writing by reading and researching mentor texts in the month of March.  The challenge is supported by educators, authors, illustrators, editors, and literary agents in addition to  a wide variety of fiction and nonfiction picture book recommendations. We welcome classrooms, educators, writers, illustrators, and publishing professionals to learn with us.

Registration for the ReFoReMo challenge opens each year on February 15. Fully registered participants will have an opportunity to enter prize drawings at the conclusion of ReFoReMo. Our private Facebook Group is open to all picture book writers and illustrators. This is where we share literary revelations and start picture book/blog post discussions. 

Take a look at the awesome schedule of events and spread the word.  To receive updates and registration details, be sure to follow ReFoReMo by email here: http://www.reforemo.com/ You'll find their sign up in the right hand side bar.