Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award Nominee - Yippee!

I'm so proud to be on another short list (of 20, so it's not that short). Can Hens Give Milk? is being recognized a little south of here by our neighbours in Washington State.
Meanwhile, I'm doing my best to keep focus on my current projects. I hope all you writers out there are not letting the summer prevent you from working on your works in progress. Of course, in Vancouver we have had enough rainy days to keep me glued to the computer. I did venture out, one sunny day, to UBC library to borrow a book - research for one of my stories. I have to face the fact that my possible (probable) ADHD makes it difficult for me to focus on one manuscript at a time. But every day I work on something. Right now I'm having fun with two sequels to a story that's been accepted for publication. The publisher might not want the sequels, but I'm enjoying writing them.

I attended a graphic novel writing workshop last weekend, taught by excellent teacher, writer, illustrator, artist, Kathie Shoemaker. She was so inspiring that I'm transforming my dog detective story into a graphic novel. Not easy, but fun, challenging, and a good exercise. So, I'm pretty busy, and I hope you are too. Do you have a story that would work as a graphic novel? Give it a try.

Even if 'you are only as good as your next book' - it's nice to be remembered for past successes.

Can Hens Give Milk? has been nominated for next year's Chocolate Lily award. Even if I don't win it will be an opportunity to celebrate with friends and fellow nominees, and get our photos taken.
Honey Cake is on the summer reading list for Vancouver schools this year. I'm guessing it's just grade four.
     Have fun reading and writing this summer.

Grimm Re-Writes

I just saw the movie 'Mirror Mirror,' which of course is a re-telling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Dwarves?) I don't usually do re-tellings, and when I did them it was for storytelling on a t.v. show, not for publication in print. But I enjoy off beat or twisted and turned around versions of familiar folk and fairy tales. Maybe I'll give re-telling another shot one of these days. 'Mirror Mirror' pays homage to a number of different tales, and adds a few new twists (even a touch of Bollywood). Paying homage isn't the same as plagiarism, and the reminders of Red Riding Hood, Cinderella and even Alice in Wonderland, are subtle. Seeing the film reminded me that there are old stories out there which could be dusted off and re-arranged and seen from a different perspective. If you want to try a new exercise, take a favourite fairy tale and turn it around a little. See what happens.

Nanaimo Bookfest

I'm heading to Nanaimo on Thursday for the Bookfest. It's always wonderful to meet new readers and writers. Hope some of you will be there. Don't forget to say hi.

Word Counts

Or maybe it should be 'words count.' Either way, it seems that the more you write the smoother it all flows. Naturally, I'll be going back to edit - many times over. So far Pugman PI is 10,174 words and Emily Strikes is 23,564 words. Remember when you had to write 2,000 word essays and you'd wonder how you were going to write something so long? Eventually you realise that the challenge isn't getting enough words written, it's trying to keep within set guidelines that publishers give you.

Travel=Inspiration

I flew to London and Malta this past March, and took along a little notebook and some pens. I know some people write detailed accounts of their day to day adventures, and I'm in awe of those who do that, but I only make notes, add a few amateur sketches(and I mean 'amateur')and when something inspires me with a story idea I scribble a paragraph or two and questions for myself.
Which works for you? Every writer has different ways of writing a journal or making story notes. You can find stories in the most unlikely or surprising places.
Meanwhile, back home, I'm waiting to hear if a publisher likes my second draft of a funny story - my dog story, the one I've been writing and re-writing for years. If she doesn't I'll try elsewhere. I'm also working hard on a longer, more serious historical novel. It's going to need a lot of work.
And then there is Harold the Hero. Looking for a publisher with a quirky sense of humour for that one.
I hope all you writers out there are working hard and feeling satisfied with what you've accomplished. Never give up.

Recognition!!!

Just to let you know, 'Can Hens Give Milk?' was on the shortlist of five books nominated by VEPVPA for 2012 (Vancouver Elementary School Principals and Vice Principals) I didn't win, but 'I Want To Go To The Moon,' did. Written by Tom Saunders it is also illustrated by my pal Cynthia Nugent and the honour to them both was well deserved.

'Can Hens Give Milk?' was also awarded an Honorable Mention on the OLA (Ontario Library Assoc.) Best Bets List for 2011.