To Rhyme or Not to Rhyme?

That is, indeed, an important question.  It is one I've been wrestling with on my recent PB edits.  I have a story begging to be written in rhyme, so I've been immersing myself in the "what to do/not to do" rules in the world of rhyme recently to refresh myself as I tackle the edits.  

I LOVE rhyme!  Always have.  I love to read a good rhyming picture book, and I enjoy the challenge of writing a good rhyming picture book.  But a challenge it is! There is so much to think about...more than just rhyming the end words of lines. It has to sing!

I listened to a wonderful webinar replay on rhyming last night by Renee LaTulippe from my 12 x 12 webinar series. It was incredible and re-energized my edits.  Renee is wonderful and so very knowledgeable about writing in rhyme. I highly recommend reading or listening to anything she presents if you are prone to writing in rhyme.  I will be checking out her Lyrical Language Lab myself soon.

For more information on 12 x 12, go to http://12x12challenge.com/membership/.  I cannot say enough about the benefits of belonging to the 12 x 12 community.  It is, without a doubt, the best thing I've done for my writing life.  

For more information on Renee LaTulippe, go to http://www.reneelatulippe.com/writing-courses/.

Back to the point of my post...for you rhymers out there, what is your process?  Do you start with a story written in prose and decide it needs to rhyme? Do you hear the music and rhyme of your story and build from there? I would love to hear your thoughts if you are willing to share.

Happy writing and rhyming!

Find Your Creativity

Well, lately, the thud of the tennis ball has landed squarely in the wrong quadrant writing wise.  Wrapping up the school year for the kids and work year for me, sports and activity obligations and now preparations to depart on a much needed family vacation tomorrow have all served to waylay my time for writing--and energy for the same.

I have my good pen and notebook packed and plan to recharge my batteries while lounging in the surf and sand.  You know what they say about the best laid plans, but I am hoping for a creativity burst.  There is nothing like fresh ocean air and sound to spur on creativity.  I will check in upon my return and report my progress.

Until then...keep writing!

Life Lessons in Tennis

I was sitting watching several of my son's tennis matches yesterday and started thinking how applicable that tennis ball was to life as I watched it thunk back and forth across the net. The back and forth of the tennis ball made me think of the back and forth of my writing life.  Perhaps because there was so much I needed to be home doing at that moment (both writing wise and otherwise), but such is the stage of life I am in right now. I can't miss one of my kid's activities, and I was, technically, now thinking about a blog post in my head.  The back and forth doesn't at all represent the interest in writing for me but rather the commitment to prioritize it.  Thud...making the time to write before anything else.  Thud...doing everything else FIRST in an effort to have a bigger block of time to write only to be left with NO time. Back and forth, back and forth, all the way to the deuce point. What's going to take it...the non-essentials or the writing? One's head controls the choice in the game of tennis. One's head also controls the choice in writing.  So, what's it going to be? Many days, the ball lands squarely in the net and goes nowhere. Today, it was a little more back and forth for me in the productivity department. How about you? Game, set, match! 

Happy Easter

Wishing you all a blessed Easter shared with family and filled with peace, love and joy. God Bless!

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.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

Today marks the birthday of one of the world's most wonderful storytellers, Dr. Seuss. As such, a nationwide reading celebration takes place every year on this day. It is Read Across America Day, so get out your books (especially the Dr. Seuss books) and read.

Dr. Seuss was a masterful storyteller but also a subtle teacher for children as he showed kids the importance of having a kind heart, believing in oneself and in one's potential in life.  I can think of no other person having such a long and important impact on children's reading and learning...and with such fun stories!

As I started to think of some of my favorite Dr. Seuss quotes to share today, I realized they all came from the same book...Oh, The Places You'll Go! (1990)

Some of my most favorite include the following...

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose."

"You're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so...get on your way!"

"And when things start to happen, don't worry. Don't stew. Just go right along. You'll start happening too."

I guess that means Oh, The Places You'll Go! is my favorite Dr. Seuss book given all my favorite quotes come from it, but there are so many wonderful books.

What are your favorite Dr. Seuss books and/or quotes?  I'd love to hear them!

Barnes & Noble Bookfair

For anyone in the Sioux Falls, SD, area on Saturday, February 25, Barnes & Noble is hosting a book fair which will support and raise funds for our Dakotas chapter of Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators.

Kids can enjoy story time, activities (including an illustration demonstration by Elise Parsley and caricature drawings by Chuck Bennis) and a Dr. Seuss celebration.  Adults can enjoy books, drinks and treats in the cafe as well as discounts on cheesecake purchases Saturday in the deli.

Use code #12054516 at checkout or mention the book fair promo to the cashier.

For anyone not in the Sioux Falls area tomorrow and interested in participating, shop online at www.bn.com from February 25, 2017 to March 2, 2017 and use code #12054516 in the space for "book fair id" at checkout.

Thanks in advance for supporting our SCBWI Dakotas chapter and happy shopping, reading, coffee drinking and treat eating!