Tales from the Rushmore Kid

Happy 4th of July

Fireworks, hot dogs and flags-a-flying is what the Fourth of July means to me.

We are fortunate to live in a great country where our votes count.

Enjoy your family, enjoy the day and enjoy the picnic of life in America.

My Editor, Steve Meltzer

I was recently in New York and had the opportunity to meet with my fabulous editor, Steve Meltzer of Dutton. He showed me around the Dutton offices and took me to lunch. I had my video camera with me and managed to get him to sit down to answer a few questions for the blog. He had lovely things to say about the SCBWI.

Monet Barbecue Cover

Summer is coming and this is a repeat post from last year. After a year on the beach deck, this barbecue cover STILL looks great!

There is nothing I hate more than those black barbecue covers,  especially when they become weather beaten. So every year or so, I paint mine. This year it is Monet's lily pads.  In five easy steps, you can paint one too!

Writing Tip of the Day - Jane Yolen

Jane Yolen is a legend in our business. An award winning and prolific writer, she has penned something like 300 books. She was kind enough to give me an interview a few years back and gracious enough to give us the "Writing Tip of the Day."

Really--my favorite tip is BIC. Butt in Chair. (Or Behind in Chair. Or Backside in Chair.) Because if you do not put your time in the chair, you will not get any writing done.

Non - Fiction Monday - Kidlitosphere

Today I am hosting Kidlitosphere on Non-Fiction Monday. Kidlit bloggers and others will offer their best posts for nonfiction. Keep checking the comments as I update links all day.

Lois Harris - Writing Tip of the Day

I met Lois Harris at a promotional retreat in Santa Barbara almost three years ago.  Her dedication to children's literature impressed me.  Also, she had written about one of my favorite impressionist artists, Mary Cassatt. I give you Lois Harris's "Writing Tip of the Day."

Joseph Campbell said, “Follow your bliss. If you do follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while waiting for you…” Oh Joe, you were so right.

Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

When I visited my relatives in Boston, I decided to travel a hundred miles south to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. The Very Hunger Caterpillar illustrator/author Eric Carle and his wife Barbara founded the museum in 2002. It is a fabulous museum honoring illustrators past and present who have worked in children's literature.  With a library, galleries and hands-on art studio for the kids, this is a wonderful place for families.  Here is the mission statement for the museum:

"The mission of The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is to inspire, especially in children and their families, an appreciation for and an understanding of the art of the picture book.

Sketchbook Art - Athens

Athens is a friendly city as well as an ancient one. As is true in Paris with the Eiffel Tower, the Parthenon can be seen from many parts of the city. I was once there during the World Cup finals. Soccer is an obsession in Europe, and when the games were on, all business stopped and TV's blared from every square for everyone to view. The Parthenon is lit at night and rooftop gourmet restaurants are scattered below.  I sketched this in one of those restaurants at a long and leisurely lunch involving many refills of expensive wine and soccer chats with the waiters...

Tillmon County Fire Blog Tour 09 - Pamela Ehrenberg

I am so pleased to be part of Pamela Ehrenberg's Tillmon County Fire Blog Tour.  You can read the reviews and track the rest of the blog tour on Pamela's site. I give you Pamela Ehrenberg.

When and why did you start writing for children?
 
In the spring of 1991, because a professor gave me permission.  She returned one of my short stories with the comment, "This sounds like the first chapter of a young people's novel," and I thought, "Really?  That's allowed?"

Writing Picture Books - Book Trailer - Ann Whitford Paul

I first heard Ann Whitford Paul speak at an SCBWI National Conference in the early 90's. Over the years, I have attended many workshops where she has spoken and I have had the pleasure of getting to know her. Ann is funny, kind and knowledgeable. I was delighted to hear she had written a "How To" book on writing a picture book. I am pleased to have produced the book trailer for Writing Picture Books.

Writing Tip of the Day - Barbara Bietz

Today my Writing Tip of the Day is from my good buddy Barbara Bietz. We've been in the same writers' group since 1994 and I value her precise critiquing, good humor and hand holding over the years.  Not only has she published a successful middle grade novel, Like a Maccabee (Yaldah, 2006) she is on the committee of the Sydney Taylor Book Award and has a popular blog, Jewish Books for Children.  I give you Barbara Bietz's Writing Tip of the Day.

“Voice” is an illusive concept, difficult for most of us to define. Over the years I have formed ideas about voice that help keep me from getting stuck.
I think of voice as an extension of the adage, “write what you know.” When a writer is immersed in a world that feels natural and comfortable, the voice will come organically.

100 Hands - Torture Art

I was cleaning the studio and came across a giant sketchbook filled with nothing but hands. When I was in college, I had a figure drawing teacher we called "Porky" who found great pleasure working the class to the bone. Nothing ever pleased her, and she was convinced that if we did a Death March of Drawing we would become true artists.  One of her homework assignments was to draw 100 hands in one week. These are four of the 100.  I don't know if it made me a true artist, but I know I never had a boss as tough as that teacher.

Susan Patron Book Launch

I had the great pleasure of attending the book launch for Susan Patron's new book, "Lucky Breaks," the sequel to her Newbery winner, "The Higher Power of Lucky."  Susan, a retired librarian, packed the place with friends, family and a lot of librarians.  So I thought it would be fun for them to describe Susan Patron in one word. Here's the short video.

Jess Mowry

Jess Mowry has been a voice for the voiceless and a champion storyteller for many years. When my agent Mark McVeigh told me he had signed Jess Mowry I was stoked and awed.  Being a huge fan of Jess I immediately asked for an interview and I am so pleased that he agreed.  I give you the legendary Jess Mowry.

When and why did you start writing for children?

I started writing stories for kids at a youth center in Oakland, CA in 1988 because there were very few books and stories the kids could relate to. This was during the first wave of the crack epidemic that had begun to devastate black neighborhoods and it seemed as if no one knew why or how this was happening.

Memorial Day

From the very beginning, from the birth of our country, men and women have come forward and served. They go, they sacrifice and some never return.  Today we remember them, today we thank them and today we pray for those who continue to serve in the most dangerous of places a safe journey home.

Picture This - Ventura County Museum

Last month I attended the opening of Picture This! The Magic of Children's Books at the Ventura County Museum of Art. It was a great party, with over 250 people in attendance. The museum did a fabulous job displaying art and book drafts of different picture books. Congratulations to my buddies who were featured: Alexis O'Neill, Carol Heyer, Jody Fickes Shapiro, Mary Ann Fraser, Amada Irma Perez and Sims Taback.  Go see the show before it closes July 5th.

Bruce Hale - Writing Tip of the Day

I have known Bruce Hale for many years and I am always struck by how funny, kind and generous he is. He's a huge supporter of the SCBWI and full of great ideas, and I will sit in on any talk or workshop he gives.  Author of the wildly successful Chet Gecko series, Bruce gives us the Writing Tip of the Day.

A CURE FOR STORY STUCK-ITIS
     
Often, I find that when my story bogs down I've lost track of what the character wants or I haven't given her a strong/meaningful enough goal to carry her through. If the character is actively trying to solve a problem, your story will keep moving forward. Of course, it’s one thing to say this and another thing to accomplish it. Here are a few techniques you might try to get unstuck:

Val Hobbs - "Sheep" - California Reader's Medal

Congratulations to my good buddy, the great Val Hobbs.  Valerie Hobbs' novel SHEEP has won this year's California Young Reader Medal in the Intermediate Category!

Call for Entries - Santa Barbara Writer's Conference

If you've got a good manuscript and twenty five bucks and you live anywhere close to Santa Barbara, this is the contest for you.  The prize is full tuition to the 2010 Santa Barbara Writers Conference and a chance to have lunch with an agent.  Here's the information. Note the deadline is June 1, 2009.

SBWC's First Annual Writing Contest 

We're pleased to announce the first annual SBWC Writing Contest in Fiction, Nonfiction and Poetry. Winners in each category will receive a
scholarship for tuition to the 2010 Santa Barbara Writers Conference and a grand prize winner will
get a scholarship and the opportunity to have lunch with a top agent during the conference.

Judith Janda Presnall

I met Judith Janda Presnall at a picture book writing retreat last January. A nonfiction children's book author with a gazillion books. It gives me great pleasure to interview Judith Janda Presnall.

When and why did you start writing for children?

In 1985, I wanted to take a detour from my teaching job. I began taking general writing classes at local colleges and at UCLA Extension. I soon discovered that my writing was more appropriate for the children's market.

Qala'at ar-Rabad - Sketchbook art

Jordan is one fabulous place. In traditional Arab fashion, tourists are treated like guests in the homes of Jordanians. When my girlfriends and I were there, we were treated with gracious hospitality by the locals and guides alike.

Jordan is also one of those Middle Eastern countries that has been conquered and occupied  by hundreds of armies over the years. The desert landscape is dotted with castles and walled towns. Qala'at ar-Rabad  is one such castle.  Between Aman and Petra, the ruins still stand tall on the top of a mountain, strategically located for watchmen to spot trouble coming out of the surrounding valleys. Most of this castle was built underground to protect its inhabitants, but I chose to sketch the view from one of the remaining watchtowers.

My Agent, Mark McVeigh

 I am so pleased to announce that I signed today with agent Mark McVeigh of THE McVEIGH AGENCY. Mark was the editor who acquired my picture book about Mount Rushmore at an SCBWI Writer's Day in 2005. After he left Dutton we kept in touch, and I was not surprised when he branched out and started an agency. I am thrilled to be part of his prestigious list of clients and I look forward to many years of working together.

Chicken Butt Blog Tour 2009 - Erica Perl

I met Erica Perl though the Kidlitosphere community. Blogger, author and editor-at-large for Abrams, Erica Perl is one funny lady. Her new book, Chicken Butt, is a scream, and I'm so happy to be part of the Chicken Butt Blog Tour 2009. Erica is also giving away prizes the last day of the tour.  Go to her blog, leave a comment and sign up for the drawing. I give you Erica Perl.

When and why did you start writing for children?

I’ve always written and I’ve always loved children’s books. As a kid, I wanted to be an author-illustrator when I grew up. I’ve had many other jobs along the way (including being a trial lawyer and teaching dog obedience), but I’m pretty thrilled to have accomplished half of what I originally set out to do!

Congratulations to Eloise Freeman & Yuki Yoshino

Kudos to my writing buddies and former classmates Eloise Freeman and Yuki Yoshino for winning honorable mention in the picture book categories at L.A. Writer's Day in April.  I met both of them in a children's writing class back in 1994 and we've all taken this fabulous writer's journey together. Eloise's winning non-fiction picture book, Sophie's Journey, is about an orphaned orangutan. Yuki's picture book, Wrong Way Sam, is about a wacky bird in flight school.

The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games has picked up a ton of awards, including the National Book Award honor, and with good reason. It is one of the best books of the year. It is a fasten-your-seat-belt wild ride that I had to finish in one sitting. I had heard much buzz about this book, but I wasn't prepared for the richness, suspense and emotion of this dark sci-fi/fantasy story. If science fiction isn't your thing, read it anyway. I guarantee you will love it.

What book are you reading now? SCBWI Writer's Day L.A. 2009

Last week I attended SCBWI Writer's Day L.A. with my new video camera.  For a different take on the day, I asked some authors and illustrators to tell me what book they were reading. Here's the short video.

Apple Bay - Tortola - Gallery Art

Sometimes sketchbook art becomes gallery art. Tortola is a beautiful island in the British Virgin Islands. My brother has lived there for the last thirty years, and I have spent many hours sketching, drawing and painting the pristine beaches. I used oil paints for this painting of Sebastian's, a beach bar on the west side of the island. Oil paints are rich in color but take forever to dry, and it took days to pick bugs off this canvas. In the end this very lumpy piece sold at a local gallery.

Neil Gaiman - Newbery Winner - The Graveyard Book

I heard Neil Gaiman speak at the BEA authors' breakfast in 2008. He was paneled with Jon Scieszka, Judy Blume, Sherman Alexie and Eoin Colfer. Anyone who was there will tell you that it was one of the most hilarious mornings of BEA. It is also where I picked up an advance copy of The Graveyard Book. I adore this book and I was so happy that the Newbery committee thought it was worthy of their award.  I contacted Mr. Gaiman soon after The Graveyard Book won the Newbery, and he was gracious enough to grant me an interview. I am thrilled to have this year's Newbery winner, author and screenwriter Neil Gaiman, give us his insights for the blog.

When and why did you start writing for children?

My first book was for children. I was 21, and when it was finished I sent it to a publisher and it came back with an encouraging rejection slip. 23 years later, after CORALINE and WOLVES IN THE WALLS, I found the ms. in a tub in the attic, and read it, at bedtime, to my daughter Maddy.

The Pocket Guide to Mischief - Bart King

The Pocket Guide to Mischief is Bart King's hilarious how to drive everyone mad with your antics book.  From rubber band duels to mischievous foods, the Pocket Guide is loaded with clever, witty and very naughty fun.  Bart talks directly to the reader as he explains harmless pranks, amusing slights and friendly jabs. 

The Secret Life of Walter Kitty - Book Trailer

Here's a new book trailer I produced for "The Secret Life of Walter Kitty," written by Barbara Jean Hicks and illustrated by Dan Santat.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter,

Passover,

Spring Break

or whatever

you celebrate

with family

and friends.

Golf Art - Calabasas Country Club 18th hole

 One of the many series of paintings I have showed and sold falls under the category of Golf Art. I love the sport that I only begrudgingly took up as a good girlfriend but later thrived on as a wife. I find that golf courses are almost like Japanese gardens, weeded, trimmed and landscaped beautifully. But, while you meditate in a Japanese garden, you do anything but on a golf course! A frustrating, crazy game, golf has at times made me less of a lady and more of a lunatic. Just when I thought I would have a great game, a little hazard would come my way. I must have hundreds of golf balls in the water hazard that surrounds this 18th hole at Calabasas Country Club--and maybe even a club or two.

June Sobel - Writing Tip of the Day

I have known June Sobel for many years and was thrilled when she joined my writing group a few years back. Kind, fun and a master critiquer, June agreed to give us a "writing tip of the day."


My writing tip of the day is "Let go!" Letting go is the one of the hardest tasks a writer has to face.

It's hard to let go of a text that still seems forced after six months of rewrites.

The Arrival - Shaun Tan

Sometimes I come across a book that blows my mind. Such is the case with the beautiful wordless graphic novel,The Arrival. From the concept to the quality of the art and design, this is a masterpiece. Opening with twelve square, sepia toned drawings of the home interior and objects of a very poor but loving family, Shaun sets the stage for a story of immigration, longing, and amazement in a strange new land.

Congratulations to Rebecca Langston-George

In honor of National Poetry Month, I want to congratulate my good buddy, poet and author Rebecca Langston-George. Her action rhyme poem "Peach Pie," published in Highlights High Five, received a letter of merit from SCBWI in their Magazine Merit competition. Rebecca has worked hard on her craft for many years.  Congratulations, Rebecca, on another well deserved award.

Non-Fiction Monday Roundup

Today I am hosting posts for Kidlitosphere on Non-Fiction Monday.  Kidlit bloggers and others will offer their best posts for non-fiction. Keep checking back as I update posts all day.

Mary Farrell at StoryForce http://storyforce-storyforce.blogspot.com reviews Matthew Henson, Polar Explorer, a forceful biography by Carole Boston Weatherford and Illustrated by Eric Velasquez.

Picture book opening at Ventura County Museum

 My buddies, picture book authors and illustrators Alexis O'Neill, Carol Heyer, Jody Fickes Shapiro, Mary Ann Fraser, Amada Irma Perez and Sims Taback are part of a show at the Ventura County Museum of Art. Picture This, The Magic of Children's Books opens next Friday, April 3, 2009 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.  All are invited to cheer on our gang of very talented SCBWI folks.

Ventura Museum, 89 South California Street, Ventura http://www.venturamuseum.org
SHOW RUNS UNTIL JULY 5TH.

Kathy Landwehr - Vice President - Peachtree Publisher

 I met Kathy Landwehr at the Ventura/Santa Barbara Mission picturebook retreat this year.  Kathy was gracious and generous with her critiques of first pages.  I am always pleased to interview an editor.  I give you Kathy Landwehr.

When and why did you become an editor for children’s books?

I started working at Peachtree in 1990, but in publicity and marketing. I moved over to editorial and production in 1995 in a managerial role and starting acquiring titles in 2001. And that’s when I felt I’d really found my home, even though I loved my time at Peachtree before that as well.

The New Covey Book Trailer Awards

For a third time I have been nominated for a New Covey Book Trailer Award.   This time for a financial book, The End of Prosperity. The New Covey is really a popularity contest; whichever trailer gets the most votes wins. If you'd like to vote for mine, click on the link, go to the black left hand column and vote for #5! You can also view the other nominated trailers here.

Val Hobbs - Writing Class for YA and Middle Grade

One of the great things about being an artist and writer is the opportunity to continuously evolve my creative skills. That is why I take classes in art, computer and writing any chance I get . For years, I tried and finally managed to get into the Writing for Novels class of the great Val Hobbs (author of Defiance).  Limited to eight students who met once a week in Val's home to critique manuscripts, we learned about pacing, plot and other helpful topics. Pictured here from left to right are Val Hobbs, Maggie Desruisseaux, Gwen Dandridge, Sherrie Petersen, Jody Fickes Shapiro, me and Stephanie Sneddon.  I thank them all for their wonderful insights.