Monday Moment #89: a writing prompt for your work-in-progress

(If you’ve already read this then skip past all the italicized blah-di-blah and start writing.) Monday Moments are writing prompts for your work-in-progress. They are questions that come from my experiences and are my favorite way to find out more about my characters. I find I learn a lot. Some of it I use. Some of it I don’t. But I always, always get to know my character(s) better just by answering the question. I hope you do too. )


I read it for the articles. And the interviews!

Seriously. It's true. It wasn't always that way, but it is today.

Now get your mind out of the gutters.

I'm talking about the Children's Writer's & Illustrators Market Guide or the CWIM. I love the CWIM and have for 10 years, back when I bought my first copy in 2001 ( I still have all of them). I remember looking for it at a Barnes and Noble and asking a salesperson to help me find it. I specifically remember looking for the name Alice Pope. So funny to think about that now, because, at the time, Alice was this stranger-of-a-person who I thought was probably a blue-haired lady (in a lunch-lady way, not a cute Stephanie Perkins way). Clearly that was before I really got to know the industry. And Alice.

Last week my door bell rang and it was the UPS truck with a package.  For me. And I knew what it was the second I saw it. My CWIM. Not just my latest CWIM, but MY CWIM; the one I have a byline in. Also extra special since it was Alice's last.

So, do you have your 2011 CWIM yet? If you do (and haven't yet read all the articles and interviews), opening up to page 81 right now. If you don't, order it right now.

Whee!!! THAT'S MY INTERVIEW WITH LIBBA BRAY. Yes, that Libba Bray.

Such a wonderful experience to have the opportunity to interview her, and I promise you'll enjoy the read. Not because my interviewing skills are spot on, but because ANY question Libba answers is entertaining, at the very least.

Back in 2001, I never would have guessed/dreamed/thought that I would know Alice personally and be working with her on Team Blog, or that I'd have an interveiw featured in the 2011 CWIM. It's been a pure treat, I must say.

What experience has your character had that they never would have guessed would happen or be possible a short or long time ago?

Monday Moment #88: a writing prompt for your work-in-progress

(If you’ve already read this then skip past all the italicized blah-di-blah and start writing.) Monday Moments are writing prompts for your work-in-progress. They are questions that come from my experiences and are my favorite way to find out more about my characters. I find I learn a lot. Some of it I use. Some of it I don’t. But I always, always get to know my character(s) better just by answering the question. I hope you do too. )

Cleaning up my girlies' room has sort of been an all summer task; a frustrating and unending (we're still working on it) task. The girlies seem to be in the mood for a change, and have also been ready to make room for new things by getting rid of the old. Or, truth be told, they wanted to sell some of their things to make some cash. The making-room-for-the-new was secondary.

Well, many things slowed us down over the summer, but we FINALLY had that garage sale and took care of the getting-rid-of. (Although, all you moms out there know it's not really over. The stuffs out of their room, but I still need to be rid of all that didn't sell.)

But now we're cleaning up and organizing in attempt to get ready for some rearranging, and possibly a bit of repainting. You see, my ten-year-old girlie seems to think she's got to be the ONLY fifth grade girl who still has flowers on her walls. (Does that seem oh-so flowery to you? The other two walls are striped. Well, I guess it does to her.) They also want to redecorate and move furniture to create more personal space for themselves (Hey, I get that!). And the other biggie? They want posters. Cool posters. (I'm clueless here.)

So, we we're working on it.

But I think it's something true of all of us and our spaces. We come to a point where we'd like or need a change, which must (especially in the youth years) say much about how we change as people. And our space (or what we'd like for our space) speaks volumes about who we are.

If your character could redecorate their bedroom or space, what would they do?

Weekend on the Water, SCBWI WWA's Fall Retreat

Maybe you've already heard about it. Perhaps you've already applied. But if you haven't, time is running out.

SCBWI Western Washington's 4th annual fall retreat (November 5-7) is on its way and the deadline to apply and get your materials in is this September 27th.

I organize and run this event for our amazing Western Washington region and this year is sure to be great. The wonderful thing about this retreat is that it's small and intimate (with no more than 50 attendees), and this year we welcome two executive editors: Nancy Mercardo, Roaring Brook Press and Jill Santopolo, Philomel Books. Between the both of them they are a mass of experience, knowledge, and expertise. (Many of you know Nancy as @editorgurl on Twitter.) Personally, I can't wait to soak up as much as I can from them.
So much to look forward to:

• amazing knowledge shared in a small group setting with our talented editors
• beautiful location at the Alderbrook Resort and Spa (check it out)
• delicious food
• awesome people

Go HERE to register.

Monday Moment #86: a writing prompt for your work-in-progress

This post is going to hurt me more than it's going to hurt you. Trust me! (But be careful if you choose to read on because this Moment comes with a challenge.)

So, here's the thing. We're friends, right? If you come here to Cuppa, then we must be friends. If this is your first time visiting Cuppa, well...we must become friends veryvery quickly because I can ONLY share this with friends. Seriously!

Why?

I told you already.

It's painful.

*deep breath*

It's that time of year!

SCHOOL PHOTO TIME

Which is all fine and good until you find out how bad your school photo really is. So, with a little help from my chuckling hubby, we chose one of my photos. Oh yes. We did.

6th grade. 'Nuf said? Did anyone have a good photo from sixth grade?

Prepare yourselves...
.
.
.
.

Oh the volumes this photo speaks! The rolled-forward shoulders. The retainer. And yes...the MULLET!

So. Very. Bad.

But I see this photo and I think, "That's who Judy Blume wrote for." And that girl, and so many just like her, is why I write today.

And because my husband laughed so hysterically at my mullet, I present him in sixth grade...

What sucks is that he was totally cuter, not nearly as awkward and homely, with only a bitty mullet.

Don't say I didn't warn you. This is a special two part Moment, because before a I share the writing prompt, I throw down a challenge: I'LL SHOW YOU MINE IF YOU SHOW ME YOURS. If you are a blogger, I challenge you to share your awkward school photo in tribute to the kid/teen you write for then post your link in the comments so we can all share in your awkward joy. Come on. You know you want to.

And for the Moment:

What memorable school photo or school photo experience has your character gone through?

Monday Moment #85: a writing prompt for you work-in-progress

(If you’ve already read this then skip past all the italicized blah-di-blah and start writing.) Monday Moments are writing prompts for your work-in-progress. They are questions that come from my experiences and are my favorite way to find out more about my characters. I find I learn a lot. Some of it I use. Some of it I don’t. But I always, always get to know my character(s) better just by answering the question. I hope you do too. )

There's a big transition in the air. Or really, it's already happened. All the kids are back in school, the air (at least here in Seattle) is cooling down, and we're all starting to grasp and cling to routines again.

I don't know about you, but this time of year makes me crave comfort activities and foods, on Sunday night in particular. I'd guess that in most houses (tell me if I'm off here) Sundays are the most routine and predictable. Typically there's no sports practice or activities, no meetings or doctors appointments, and it's the most common day for most to be off from work.

My family has a particular Sunday night routine, and we were anxious to get it started, even though the TV season wasn't ready for us to start (we watched a re-run). Sunday nights for us usually includes a new AFV (Americas Funniest Home Videos) and dinner (usually a cheesy-meat dip with tortilla chips and fruit) in front of the TV. We get all cozied up together on the couch, with our finger-food dinner, then we laugh at people doing ridiculous things, or people taking nasty falls or smacks, or kids/animals being down-right adorable.

I suppose it's good to be getting back to that good, clean humor since most of our family giggles around the tube have been at the expense of people like this:

Oh the joy of the big balls! (Yes, I did just say that.) But if you watched any Wipeout this summer, you know what I mean. And if you didn't, you have no idea the laughter you missed out on.

AND...I'm off topic.

Let's get back on course.

We all have our own idea of what a typical Sunday night (or happening) would be, and so do our characters. I might even guess, that given our characters' current circumstances, Sunday nights may no longer be typical, but they'd recall typical.

So, what is or was a typical event or occurrence on Sunday for your character?

Monday Moment #84: a writing prompt for your work-in-progress

(If you’ve already read this then skip past all the italicized blah-di-blah and start writing.) Monday Moments are writing prompts for your work-in-progress. They are questions that come from my experiences and are my favorite way to find out more about my characters. I find I learn a lot. Some of it I use. Some of it I don’t. But I always, always get to know my character(s) better just by answering the question. I hope you do too. )

Happy Labor Day, friends!

*hits forehead*

Why-oh-why couldn't I have blown posting a Monday Moment today instead of last Monday. Then I would have a really valid excuse. But, no! I don't have an excuse. None. Zero. Nada.

Monday Moment #84 should've of come your way last Monday, and the only excuse I can chock it up to is being human.

Dang! I have to be human?

Yeah. I am. Human, that is. I truly just forgot. Sure, I had a lot going on, but still...MM #84 was not in the currents of my brain waves. I believe it was Wednesday morning when I realized, and I truly had to think hard about it to know for sure. Yes, I had forgotten.

Those of you who know me, or who have been following these Moments from #1, know I'm committed to posting each and every Monday. But even the most committed have misses. Right?

Has your main character ever forgotten something important or dear to their heart? (If they have, tell them, I feel their pain.)

Monday Moment #83: a writing prompt for your work-in-progress

(If you’ve already read this then skip past all the italicized blah-di-blah and start writing.) Monday Moments are writing prompts for your work-in-progress. They are questions that come from my experiences and are my favorite way to find out more about my characters. I find I learn a lot. Some of it I use. Some of it I don’t. But I always, always get to know my character(s) better just by answering the question. I hope you do too. )

Coming your way a little late in the day, I know. Thanks for being patient.

Yesterday, Cuppa celebrated 2 years. Two! Although, I must say, it pales in comparison to the 60 years (Yes! 60 years!) my grandparents will be celebrating on Friday. (Happy Anniversary, Grandma and Grandpa. I love you!)

Here's the thing: I thought about starting this blog for far too long, worrying about things that don't matter at all. Like what to call it, how to build it, what I'd say, and wondering if anyone would read it. Truly, none of that really mattered. When I finally decided to do it, I just did. Dove right on in. I did a little brainstorming with Jaime (thanks, Jaime) and decided on Cuppa Jolie then pulled it together in an evening. I wrote my first post. Then posted. The rest is Cuppa history.

I'm so glad I did.

Mostly, it's because of all of you. All the connections I've made. With readers. With fellow writers and bloggers. Basically, with my friends (whether I know you personally or not). You are all the reason Cuppa feels like a cozy place for me. A place I can pull my feet up on the sofa, sip on my latte, and enjoy!

There are anniversaries of all kinds. What anniversary does your character celebrate?

P.S. Can I just say that I wish I could celebrate with a copy of Mockingjay. I can't wait to get my hands on it. How 'bout you?