Monday Moment #126: 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 characters better just by answering the question. I hope you do too.)


Holy Big Sky Bungle. I thought TODAY was Monday. I'm so off my game. Well, hopefully I can get pass as I'm on the road and yesterday was my 13th wedding anniversary. Ahhh!

I'm blogging live from what my husband has dubbed Grammapalooza. Although, he doesn't have it quite right since it's more like a Grandparentpalooza, but the former sounds better. It's also been affectionately called The Silver Hair Tour.

We are currently trekking through the Big Sky state, visiting our six lovely grandparents (yes...SIX). I will say we are blessed to have so many of them still in our lives. They are all in three different cities in Montana, so we are driving a big triangle under this great big sky. First Missoula then Great Falls finally ending up in Livingston where we'll celebrate my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary. Double Ahhh!

So, I won't stay here long, but share a few things we've done and seen. One grandma visited, kissed, and loved on. A full day at the Splash Montana, where no sunscreen was enough to keep our Seattle skin from getting pink. Some sweet fawns relaxing and chasing and nursing (vigorously). An ice cream cone from the famous Big Dipper Ice Cream, but the licking had to be brisk in this heat. So far, nothing but delight.

One mention of something I found funny: As I drove into Montana there was suddenly big splatters on my windshield, sounding just like rain beginning to fall as it often does in the Seattle area. I had to tell myself, that's not rain and ask (in my own mind), What is that? It was very BIG bugs reaching an unfortunate state of splat on my windshield. Ha!

Has your main character ever taken a road trip? If so where, why, and what kind of different and wonderful experiences did they have?

SCBWI Team Blog Exclusive Interview: Laurie Halse Anderson

SCBWI couldn't have called on a better writer to cap off this summer's conference experience, as they'll bring Laurie Halse Anderson to the stage to deliver the final keynote and send conference-goers on their way to tackle creative endeavors.

That said, before we get any further, if you have any wish, desire, inkling, etc. to go to the summer conference, the time to register is NOW. For the first time in SCBWI history, they will be closing registrations. Go HERE to register. Registration will close on Monday, July 18th and no part-time or walk-in registrations will be allowed.

But let's get back to Laurie. Laurie Halse Anderson is the award-winning and best-selling author of many books for children of all ages, including SPEAK and CHAINS (both National Book Award finalists).

It's a real treat to welcome Laurie Halse Anderson here to Cuppa Jolie.

One of your Facebook status updates last week said, “Laurie has been writing all week and is very happy about that.” With a very busy life and schedule, how do you ensure you get the writing time you need? And, can I take a guess that perhaps this will be a bit of what you’ll discuss during your conference break-out (The Nuts and Bolts of Crafting a Creative Life:Finding Lost Time and Reclaiming Creativity)?

It has become a little easier to make writing time now that our youngest has flown the nest. However, as our kids (all four of them) were starting to drive themselves to soccer practice and not require homework help, we became responsible for our elderly parents. And - to my shock and horror - I've found that being a published author actually takes time away from writing, instead of magically creating more hours in the day. I have developed a few Highly Secret Methods over the years, though, enough to have helped me carve out the time to write 27 books in the last 18 years. I'm looking forward to sharing them with everyone!

How has your writing life changed, if at all, since you’ve been in your lovely writing cottage?

The cottage is heaven on earth because I can relax there, free from the nagging worry I might be interrupted. It is also lovely to be able to look around the space and NOT see undone household tasks like laundry that needs to be put away or tumbleweeds of dog hair. But the absolute best aspect of it? That would have to be a tie between the beauty of the space and the the luxury of solitude. While I love traveling and meeting readers and fellow writers, the truth is that I am deeply introverted. Spending time around other people drains all the creativity and ink from my soul. The solitude of my cottage in the woods helps refill it.

(See video of Laurie's writing cottage below.)



You’ve experienced the bumpy ride of having your books challenged. How do you continue to write without fear, or have the challenges only created a fire in you when it comes to story and honesty?

The first couple of dozen times my books were challenged, I took it very personally. I bawled like a baby and wasted untold days paralyzed by the thought that anyone would think I'd ever seek to harm a child.

Then I got over myself.

Book challenges say very little about the book being targeted (or the author!) and rather a lot about the people bringing the challenge. Our intellectual freedoms are worth standing up and fighting for. I'm happy to plunge into battle when the trumpets sound!

You’ll be sending conference-goers on their way, following your closing keynote. Can you give us a little taste of your talk: Daring the Universe?

Here's a sneak peek of my keynote:
1. Life is short.
2. Death is guaranteed.
3. Given Point 1 and Point 2, you have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain by embracing your creativity every day!

A huge thank you to you, Laurie.

For the rest of you, those already registered I'm certain you're looking forward to the big event beginning August 5. Everyone else...hurry, hurry, hurry so you can join us too. But, if you can't be with us in LA, SCBWI Team Blog has you covered as we'll be be blogging live from the conference floor.

Monday Moment #125: 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 characters better just by answering the question. I hope you do too.)


Last Monday, the 4th, blew up on me! Not in a bad way. But in a busy Fourth of July way. Hope your day was as fun as mine. I was hoping to at least type a, See ya next week message. But I couldn't even get that much done.

Being with friends (ones that are like family) on the Fourth got me to thinking about nicknames--especially nicknames for family members. I don't think there is a family anywhere where every person goes by their traditional title: Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle, etc. Somewhere along the line a nickname comes along and it usually happens in a very organic way.  (In my experience, a forced nickname never works.)

In our family's case, I have dear girlfriends that have been Aunties to my girls since Day One. That said, when my oldest was barely two, instead of calling my friend Auntie Roz, she became Uncle Roz (I think because she had been around uncles more than aunties). On top of that, Uncle Roz had a handsome boyfriend (who later became her husband). His name: Gabe. So when our oldest spoke of them, they became Uncle Roz and Uncle Babe, which was too cute.

The girls with Uncle Babe

On another family note, one of our youngest's first words was Sis, and she's called her big sister that ever since. When she was young if she was asked, "What's your sister's name?" her answer was, "Sis." And still today, to hear her say he sister's given name doesn't even sound right. She will forever call her Sis (and she's the ONLY one who does).

And, now about personal nicknames? I had a couple: Squirt and JD (both were my dad's nicknames for me). As for shortening my name, I didn't like it (still don't). I never wanted anyone to call me Jo. The only person who ever did, or ever I ever let, call me Jo was my little brother.

What nicknames are in your character's family and how did they come about? Does your character have any nicknames?

Monday Moment #124: 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 characters better just by answering the question. I hope you do too.)


SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER! (sing it with me)
SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!

But, oh man... I already miss school. I miss it in several ways.

I miss it as a teacher. I'm not a regular classroom teacher any longer, but I have been working weekly with a group of home-schooled students. I miss that. I wish I could keep working with them all year long.

Then there's the things I miss as a mom. I miss the routine the school year brings. You know, there's that magical time when the kids are at school and time belongs to me and not to the kids. Call me selfish, but I find that time rather lovely.Then there's just the regularity bedtime, and other schedules. Not that there's no longer a bedtime, it's just different.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love the warmer weather (the VERY little we've had of it) and additional time with the girlies, but...well, you know. I mean really, on day one they were ALREADY saying, "I'm bored."

Seriously!?!

I have to believe, that even for the kids, there is something about school that the they miss once summer hits. I'm sure it's different for each kid, but there's something.

What does your character miss about school over summer break?

SCBWI Team Blog: First-time Attendee Pre-conference Interview

As part of our Team Blog interviews, I'll be chatting with several people (published and not) who will be attending an international SCBWI conference for the first time this summer. Those of us who have attended before know it can be both exciting and overwhelming.

This year SCBWI will be offering an opportunity to attended a First-time Attendee Orientation just prior to the open of the conference on August 4. The 45 minute session will provide a bit a of peek into the weekend and offer some insight on how to make the most of conference. If you're already registered, watch your email for more details.

When I inquired on Twitter about who was attending for the first time, Patti Gabrielson was the first to raise her virtual hand, and it was my pleasure to invite her here for a quick chat.

Welcome to Cuppa Jolie, Patti. This will be the first time I've interviewed a first-time conference attendee here. So, thank you for taking the plunge with me. I certainly wish we were in my living room so I could share a true cuppa with you.

Can you share with us a little bit about yourself?

I am attempting to get into illustrating children's books. I started this journey about seven years ago. Like a silly rookie, I had an idea for a children's book when my daughter was about 2 yrs old. I thought I'd write it, draw some pictures and boom. . . "they'd" start calling me, wanting to give me millions of dollars.


About two years ago my journey became more realistic. That's when I joined the San Diego chapter of SCBWI. I am now on a much more realistic path. I have a better understanding of the steps to take and how to take them. My portfolio isn't quite ready, but I'm planning on showing it at the L.A. Conference, along with a book dummy of that idea I had seven or more years ago.

Sounds as though the San Diego Chapter has already been of great benefit to you. I'm guessing then that you've attended regional conferences and events.

Our monthly meetings have been both inspirational and informative. We've had speakers such as Literary Agent, Kelly Sonnack with the Angela Brown Literary Agency talk about contracts. . . before you sign. A panel of some of our self published authors discussed the pro's and cons of self publishing (which runs through many of our minds). Author/Illustrator D.J. MacHale gave a very entertaining presentation at a meeting. Joy Chu of http://www.gotstorycountdown.com/ attends all of our meetings and gives us fantastic advice on a monthly basis. And author, Nancy Sanders, was an amazing speaker at one of our meetings. The chapter meetings offer all of this plus so much more.

If all of that doesn't get you excited to write or draw, we also had a one-day conference with literary agents and editors that filled our day with advice, information and insight to the publishing world. And for the illustrators, award winning artist, David Diaz, provided portfolio reviews, more information and humor.

And then there was a workshop this past weekend. We (illustrators) got to spend four fabulous hours with Priscilla Burris as she, and Joy Chu, went over portfolio standards for submission and advice for the L.A. conference. It was so cool!

What I have a hard time believing is that everyone in the world of children's books is so willing to help each other. SCBWI seems like such a well oiled wheel. Everybody is so kind, happy and energetic. As I told my husband, "I've found my peeps".

You have great things happening there in the San Diego Chapter! And I agree, there are no better people than those in children's books and SCBWI. It's a huge reason I LOVE to go the the international conferences, especially the summer conference which is quite social.

What made you decide to go to this summer's conference in L.A.? (It's the 40th anniversary, too. Lots in store!)

I reached the point where I had to stop procrastinating and just go for it. We had just finished our one day conference in February. I was still jumping with excitement, when I decided that I needed to take the next step. The point of no return. (Oh, what have I done!)

You've signed yourself up for a great time, loads of new friends, and a wonderful learning experience plus a super dose of inspiration.

Is there a particular session or part of the conference you are most looking forward to?

Oh my gosh, to pick just one? Many artists have his/her styles well developed. But it's been years since I've drawn on a regular basis. So Monday's Illustrators Intensive is going to be very cool for me. To watch these incredible artists do their thing will be so fun.

I'm also so excited to find out all that I can about e-books and apps. I work digitally and I'm ready to jump into the new digital horizons.

I'm glad you mentioned the Intensives, as this is a new format to the summer conference. And, in case you missed it, Team Blog member Jaime Temairik posted details about the Illustrator Intensive and she also has several great interviews with the faculty. Check 'em out.

But here's the big question: Do you have your pajamas picked out for the 40 Winks Ball?

It's odd, but none of the stores seem to have a pajama section of big, bright, slightly obnoxious pj's. Go figure. But if I can find it, I'll be the one wearing orange and white polka-dot jammies.

Ah, orange and white polka-dot jammies. Appropriate for you! (Check out Patti's website and you'll know why.) I'm so glad to hear you'll be there! It's an event not to be missed.

Do you have one main worry or question about being at the conference for the first time?

ONE? I'd say I have about one hundred. There will be so many attendees that have been doing this for a while, with such great talent. I guess my main worry is that my work will look so lame next to theirs. But I know that's just part of the game!

Not lame, just different. And who would their work to look like another illustrator's. Only you can do Patti!

Thank you so much for chatting with me, Patti. You already have a new friend from the conference and it hasn't even happened yet. I look forward to meeting you in person, and seeing your work.


Let's have a cuppa something together while in L.A.!

If you haven't registered for the conference here's where you need to GO.

Monday Moment #123: 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 characters better just by answering the question. I hope you do too.)


I mentioned in my last Monday Moment that my oldest is graduating 5th grade and moving on to the craziness that is middle school. To celebrate the 5th graders, parents created posters of the kids from babyhood on. Going through pictures stirred up a lot of memories.

On top of that, my mom pulled out a journal she's kept with funny and sweet stories about her grandkids. It's so nice to have those stories written down.

Here are two stories, one about each of my girlies, written by my mom. Both girls were about 2 and a half when the following happened.

Madison's story:

Madison discovered her roaring voice during the month of October. She was very good at it too! It was a lion-roaring voice as far as she was concerned and she was quite proud to show it off to all.

For quite a while, when asked, Madison said she would be a lion for Halloween. Somewhere, somehow, sometime that changed. Her mom bought her a beautiful lion costume, but when asked shortly after that purchase she exclaimed, "I want to be a doctor for Halloween."

I think a bit of "lion persuasion" started, to no avail. Madison wanted nothing to do with the lion costume.

One day, shortly after all of the discussion and questioning about what Madison would be for Halloween, her mom asked the controversial question, "Madison, what do you want to be for Halloween?"

Madison's reply? "Not a lion!"

Here's a photo of from that Halloween.

NOT A LION!

Skylar's story:

Skylar loves Mommy's arms. She loves to rub, pinch, and scratch. (Mommy doesn't like the pinching and scratching.) So Mommy told Skylar that if she pinched Mommy's arm she would have to stop reading a book.

Daddy said, "What's Mommy going to do if you pinch her arm?"

Skylar said, "Stop reading the book and put it away."

Daddy said, "How would that make you feel?"

Skylar said, "Sad, and then I would cry. And call Mommy poo-poo head, bad Mommy."

Those dimples help ease the pain of being called poo-poo head, bad mommy.

Ah, I love those girlies. It's fun to recall those memories. And hearing these stories made the girls crack up.

Childhood stories, those that are sweet, funny, and embarrassing, are often told by family members or others. Whether it's a fun experience for a kid or horrible depends on the story, who's telling it, where it's being told, and the kid him/herself.

What's a story recalled and told about your main character and what's that experience like for him/her?

SCBWI Team Blog Exclusive Interview: MARY POPE OSBORNE

I raised my hand high for the chance to interview the incomparable MARY POPE OSBORNE as part of our SCBWI Team Blog Exclusive interviews.

Mary Pope Osborne is the author of one of the most successful children's book series EVER: The Magic Tree House series. The first Magic Tree House book, Dinosaurs Before Dark, came out in 1992. Now both #46 and #47 are available for pre-order and are as popular as ever.

I first knew Mary Pope Osborne as a teacher. For my students, reading a Magic Tree House book meant they had reached a huge milestone. Once they had read one they could declare, "I'm a chapter book reader." So exciting. Although, not all young readers may know Mary Pope Osborne's name, they know her beloved characters: Jack and Annie. And they can rattle off title after title of her popular books.

Mary Pope Osborne will be a giving a keynote, as well as conducting a breakout session during the SCBWI summer conference in LA.

And now, welcome to Mary Pope Osborne!

Your MAGIC TREE HOUSE series is really a series like no other. You can now pre-order both books #46 and #47. How do you maintain your inspiration and joy as you continue to work on such a successful and well-known series.

First I love my readers – kids between 5 and 9 are the most generous human beings on earth. They always give me encouragement and inspiration. (One young reader once sent me an apple and some marshmallows in case I needed a snack break from my writing.) Second, I love my characters Jack and Annie. I’ve come to think of them as friends and always look forward to finding out how they’ll behave in new times and places. Third I love exploring and researching all those different times and places. In fact, doing research for each book is the most fun part of the work and often dictates the plot and story elements. I’m always on the lookout for new information that will help keep the series fresh.

Somewhere along the way, has the success of the series ever brought fear that got you "stuck" as you moved forward to the next book?
This may sound hard to believe, but I honestly don’t think about the success of the series. I think about writing the stories for my husband Will who is my sounding-board, and I think about my editor Mallory Loehr who has worked on every single book. And I think about Jack and Annie and let them tell me what they would do and how they would feel in the places and situations I create for them.


If I stick to the task at hand, following Jack and Annie moment by moment, I never seem to get stuck. My advice for writers is not to worry about the sales of your work or even whether it’s “good”, but rather, invest yourself in the process of writing for the joy of the experience.

Such great advice!

Before Magic Tree House you published several other books. Do you ever dream up stories and characters unrelated to MAGIC TREE HOUSE?

Actually I had published at least twenty other books before I started the series; and I continue to write other books. Many of my books were retellings of mythology and folklore, including a six-part series of tales from the Odyssey. I’ve also written a number of Dear America books, picture books, YA novels, two mysteries, biographies, and works of nonfiction, such One World, Many Religions. All these works have helped the Magic Tree House series, as I incorporate myth, history and biography into Jack and Annie’s adventures.

And, you must tell us about all those adorable pups on your website's home page.

Oh, they are so glad you asked about them. Joey and Mr. Bezo are Norfolk terriers, and like many terriers, they are little demons with huge personalities and a great resistance to being obedient. They rule our house and have us very well-trained. The third dog, Little Bear, is a precious adoptee whom I first saw walking blithely down a country road. I liked to think he was waltzing into our lives to the tune of Moon River. He’s been a blissful companion ever since and endlessly tries to discipline his two scrappy brothers.

Thank you, Mary! I can't wait to meet Jack and Annie's creator in L.A.

For more, here's a great video interview about her creative process.




If you haven't registered for the conference yet you're in luck! Early registration (at a discount) will remain open until Monday, June 20th. Take advantage. Sign up HERE.