Tales from the Rushmore Kid

April Sayre

April Sayre is another one of those children's book authors who is a "brainy."  Smart, talented and prolific, I give you April Sayre.

When and why did you start writing for children?

My background is in science. I have a biology degree from Duke  University. My first job writing for children was an internship at  WORLD magazine, published by the National Geographic Society.

Edward Eyes

In the early nineties when I first attended the SCBWI National Conference, I was fortunate enough to hear Patricia MacLachlan speak.  She was funny, inspiring and a joy to talk to.  Patricia mentioned one of her story ideas, about a boy looking to find the donor that was given his dead brother's eyes.  Twelve years later, I was happy to read this tale, EDWARDS EYES. 

Greg Trine - Writing tip of the day.

I asked my buddy, Greg Trine, of the Melvin Beederman Super Hero Series, to give us a "Writing tip of the day."

If you're stuck in the middle of your novel, not knowing what comes next, but you know the ending, skip to it and keep writing.  You'll be happy you produced something when you thought you were stuck.  There's no rule that says you need to write sequentially.  You can arrange things later.

First Book - What Book got you hooked?

  I met Bonnie Johnson of First Book at BEA.  First Book is a charity that puts children's books into under privilege kids hands.  Bonnie alerted me that First Book is running a promotion right now.  It’s called “What book Got You Hooked?” (www.firstbook.org/whatbook) - - and it caters to all avid readers (including blog readers) and book lovers alike.   "First Book is inviting readers everywhere to name the first book from childhood that made reading fun.  Those who submit what book got them hooked on the website then vote for any state of their choice to receive 50,000 new books for low-income youth.

SCBWI National Conference - August 2008

The SCBWI National conference is always a blast.  Workshops, networking with authors, agents, illustrators and editors makes for an amazing few days.  With my handy camera I documented my days at the SCBWI.  Enjoy this short slide show.

Gennifer Choldenko - Writing tip of the Day!

I have never met Gennifer Choldenko, but I am a huge fan of her Newbery honor book, "Al Capone Does My Shirts." Last year Gennifer was kind enough to give me an interview, this year she is giving us a writing tip.

Build your writing muscles. The muscles for writing take time to develop.

The Making of the Red Geisha

Every summer I do my performance piece of the year for the SCBWI National Conference costume contest. This year I worked on the piece for three months. I am always asked "How do you create your costume?" This year I did a YouTube piece on the making of the Red Geisha. Enjoy!

Eleanor Updale - Writing tip of the day.

I am a huge fan of British writer Eleanor Updale.  Her YA series Montmorency, a thief turned aristocrat then spy, are some of my all time favorite books.  She was kind enough to give us a writing tip for the the day.

When you know you are writing badly, don't stop.  Keep going, but change the color of the font, so that you can easily return to the passage later.  That way you don't lose momentum, and may even write your way out of trouble.

Goodbye to Adventures for Kids

Today many of us gathered at the closing party for children's book store, Adventures for Kids.  It was a sad occasion, as authors and illustrators reminisced about book launches, parties and SCBWI critiquenics that were held at this book store for over the past thirty years.  Thanks to Jody Ficks-Shapiro and Barbara O'Grady for their dedication to children's literature and their friendship to us all.

Sketchbook art - LPGA

Being golfers, every now and then, my husband and I have played in P.G.A. or L.P.G.A. charity Pro-Am events. They are  held the day before the real tournament begins.  Here I was up in the bleachers sketching the 18th hole as my husband played in the Pro-Am.  His partner, Si Ri Park not only gave him tips all day, but she also went on to win the tournament that year.

Dr. Elisa Lotter - Memory Loss

If you are like me, sometimes you can't remember what you did yesterday let alone last week. I keep a pad next to my bed to write down all the good writing ideas that blaze through my brain before I forget. Nutritionist, Dr. Elisa Lottor, specializes in memory loss and is starting clinical trials.  I thought I would ask Dr. Lottor a few questions for the blog.

Why do some people have problems with memory?

So many people have problems with memory because we not only multi-task, and have too much to do and on our minds, but also because our nutrition is not what it should be.

I.N.K. - Interesting Nonfiction for kids.

 

When I interviewed Kathleen Krull, she sent me information on a group blog that she belongs to, I.N.K. Interesting nonfiction for kids.  It is loaded with famous authors giving all sorts of great tips.  They are offering a book give-away that you can read all about.

I.N.K. SPECTACULAR BOOK BLAST GIVE-AWAY!

Peter Tanous - Money tips for Writers.

These are scary times with the economy. Since artist and money usually don't mix, I asked my buddy, financial expert, Peter Tanous to give us some more tips.  In last year's interview for the blog, Peter recommended  buying oil stocks when oil was seventy one dollars a barrel. So if you listened to him then, you made a pile of dough.  I am so pleased that Peter Tanous agreed to answer a few questions.

With these tough economic times costing us more and more just to live, what financial tips can you give to the average Joes to invest the little money that they have?

Don't try to  guess when the market will bottom.  You'll only know looking back at  it.  Make sure your asset allocation is right for you and for the  times.  You shouldn't be 100% in stocks--that's too risky. 

Kite Tales - SCBWI Mary Flowers on contracts

When I go to any SCBWI conference I usually pick up the info and sometimes blog about it.  Last L.A. Writer's Day I was asked to report on a professional workshop about contracts run by attorney Mary Flowers.  The article is in the Summer's edition of Kite Tales, It is on page 8 and here's the link, http://www.scbwisocal.org/kitetales/2008/KTSummer08.pdf

Sue Alexander

All of us in the SCBWI community mourn the great loss of one of our founding members, author, Sue Alexander, who  passed away suddenly last week. Sue was a sweetheart and a pit bull mixed into one.  She worked hard for the SCBWI to keep the quality of children's literature at the highest standard.  I personally appreciated all the professional workshops she developed for different conferences and I will miss that carrot top munchkin who encouraged the best from all of us.  My prayers go out to her family and to her SCBWI family as well.

Happy 4th of July

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

We are fortunate to live in such a great country where we can vote the bums in and out of office, we can protest for change and we can make our vote count.

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

Kathleen Duey - Writing tip of the day.

I asked my buddy, National Book Award Finalist, Kathleen Duey, to give us a "Writing Tip of the Day."

I am writing the second book in a trilogy: A Resurrection of Magic; Sacred Scars. It's two stories, back and forth, every other chapter, set 200 years apart. The first story causes the second one. A million details. A very important book for me career-wise.

SCBWI Costume Party 2008 - Paint the town red!

It's that time of year again.  Time to work on my costume for the SCBWI National conference in August.  This is the one performance art piece that I do a year.  Red just happens to be my favorite color and this costume just happens to be my favorite "FUN" art.  Which is always a bonus.  These are the ingredients and by August my masterpiece will be fully cooked!

Kathleen Krull

When I think of biographies, I think of Kathleen Krull. Musicians, writers, painters, presidents, you name them and she has probably wrote a book about them. Over the years I have had the privilege of seeing her at several SCBWI events.  It is my great pleasure that Kathleen agreed to be interviewed for the blog.

When and why did you start writing for children?

That's where the jobs were when I graduated from college in 1974.

Lincoln's face - Rushmore Trivia

When carving Mount Rushmore one of the problems Gutzon dealt with was how to get a model of the presidents to the top of the mountain.  Using his eye to determine if a face was correct, Gutzon made a plaster cast of one of the president's faces and brought it up to the top to help him judge.  During the course of construction Gutzon changed the design of Mount Rushmore nine times!

Rene' Colato Lainez

I met Rene Colato Lainez years ago in a chlidren's writing class.  Sweet and kind, we all cheered when Rene sold his first book and then the next two.  It is my great pleasure to interview my buddy Rene Colato Lainez.

When and why did you start writing for children?

I loved to read and write books as a child. When I was eight years, I decided that I wanted to write a book. Since then, I wrote poems and short stories.

Tracy Arms - Alaska

The Inside passage has it share of glaciers.   The ship sailed back into these small inlets to view these massive mountains of ice.  Of course it was freezing cold as I stood on my deck to quick sketch in the drizzle.  It paid off with a drawing and a sighting of a pod of killer whales.

My first BEA

I was lucky that BEA came to Los Angeles last week.  Tons of my author buddies were there as well as legends in the business.  Here is my You Tube presentation of "Tina's First BEA."

Sketchbook Art - Sydney

When I was in Australia, I ended up sketching this amazing building three times.  The Sydney Opera House is one of the most recognizable structures in the world.  It was said that the architect came up with the design by playing with orange slices.  Inside was remarkable with curved wooden paneling that followed the shape of the ceilings. We were lucky enough to hear opera at the Opera House. One of the three tenors, Jose Carreras, with the Australian Philharmonic, gave an astonishing performance that included five encores.

Anne Broyles

Over the years that I have been involved with the SCBWI I have attended countless novel retreats, promotion retreats, workshops, smoozes and so on.  I met Anne Broyles at one of the novel retreats years ago.  She was talented, kind and funny.  I am so happy that Anne Broyles agreed to be interviewed.

When and why did you start writing for children?

I still have the first “book” I wrote (second grade) and I’ve always thought of myself as a writer even when I had another career. I published many nonfiction books in the religious/devotional field before I thought about writing for children.

BEA - Jon Scieszka

 My first BEA was a blast this week.  The Master of Ceremonies, Jon Scieszka, set the tone and the speakers at the children's authors breakfast, Sherman Alexie, Judy Blume, Neil Gaiman and Eoin Colfer were hilarious.  The two days I attended were full of books, fun, old SCBWI friends and lifetime heroes.  I felt like a groupie and could barely talk when I met Jan Brett, Lawrence Yep and Rick Riordan. Also I ached like a mule as I lugged around free books that nearly broke my back.  I plan to YouTube a slide show of this BEA soon.

May Pang & John Lennon

A few weeks ago, we were invited to a book signing of May Pang's beautiful new book, Instamatic Karma, photographs of John  Lennon.  May Pang was John Lennon's girlfriend for the two years that he had split from Yoko.  May lived with him in L.A. and spent those years photographing their lives. My husband Al Coury, who ran Capitol Records, had worked with John Lennon during that time.  May included a picture of Al with John in the book.

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.

Carol Heyer - US Orphan Work Act 2008

My buddy, illustrator and author Carol Heyer, has alerted me to a disturbing new bill in the Senate that is going to basically steal art from illustrators.  Carol has agreed to explain this for the blog.

What is the Orphan work Act? 

Basically it will be a law that allows companies to take any existing images, illustrations, photos, personal movies or even photos such as those that exist on Flickr and Picasa and use them in any add campaigns, t-shirts etc. that they want to without paying the artist any money or royalties. 

Dandi Daley Mackall

Every now and then I'm in contact with an author who is a fan of the blog.  Dandi Daley Mackall is one.  She emailed me about an interview I did on her buddy and after a few inquiries I found out that we share the same editors and an a illustrator.  Not to mention a whole lot of friends.  I am delighted that award winning author Dandi Daley Mackall agreed to be interviewed.

When and why did you start writing for children?

Not knowing any better, I began my writing adventure by writing for grown-ups. I wrote articles for national mags when I was in college, and my first book, an adult inspirational/humor, came out in 1980 (yes, I was 4 at the time….).

Monet Barbeque Cover

There is nothing I hate more than those black barbeque covers.  Especially when they become weather-beaten.  So every year or so, I paint mine.  This year it is Monet's lily pads.  In 5 easy steps you can paint one too!

Caroline Hatton

I have known Caroline Hatton for many years.  She is what I consider a "Brainy."  A pharmacist, Ph.D. chemist, anti-doping sports scientist, French - English translator, children's writer and a tireless  volunteer for the SCBWI.   I am so pleased that the remarkable Caroline Hatton agreed to be interviewed.   

When and why did you start writing for children?

Maybe when I was ten years old, growing up in Paris. I ran out of school library books to read, so I started writing (what must have been awful) novels. Since I spent ample time rereading and admiring my prose, and I was ten, wasn't it writing for children, or at least for one child?

Flat Ethan

If Flat Stanley ever visited your home you will appreciate my new You Tube effort,  The Magical Adventures of Flat Ethan.

John Stewart Memorial

An American Icon passed away earlier this year.  Singer and songwriter, John Stewart, entertained us for generations.  He was part of the Kingston Trio, had a successful solo career, and wrote songs for many other performers.  My husband, Al Coury, had worked with him as part of the Trio and during his solo career.  We were touched to be invited to the private memorial concert held in his honor. Actors,  musicians and artists filled the stage to perform his songs and reminisce about John's remarkable life.  The talented John Stewart will be miss by all.

Bart King

Author Bart King has made a successful writing career with such hit books as The Big Book of Boy Stuff , The Pocket Guide to Mischief and The Big Book of Girl Stuff. I am delighted that Bart King agreed to be interviewed for my blog.

When and why did you start writing for children?

I was afraid of being called out by my students.
As a second-year teacher, I remember surveying my classroom and thinking, “It’s only a matter of time before one of these kids looks up and wonders if the bald guy giving out all the writing assignments has any game of his own.”
 

Cinco de Mayo

Happy

Cinco De Mayo!