Tales from the Rushmore Kid

Of Holidays and Great Men (& Women) - Barbara Jean Hicks

from the inquiring mind of
children's book author and educator
Barbara Jean Hicks,
Guest Columnist

Despite the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971 (an act which retailers surely embraced with enthusiasm), today, February 22, is the birthday of George Washington. By almost any account of U.S. history, Washington was a Great Man.

The mid 19th century spawned two opposing views of history. Thomas Carlyle espoused the Great Man Theory, the idea that history can be largely explained by "great men"--persons of great charisma, intelligence or political skill who used their powers in ways that changed life, for either good or ill, for the human race. Herbert Spencer countered that such "great men" (no mention of women in either argument!) were simply the products of the societies into which they were born, men who appeared at the right moment to promote changes that were already underway in a larger social context.

SCBWI Winter Conference - Interview with David Diaz

The SCBWI Winter Conference in New York City is always a blast. It gives me the opportunity to listen to and network with authors, illustrators and friends. This year at the Saturday night cocktail party, I pinned down my good bud, the fabulous Caldecott winner David Diaz, and interviewed him for the blog.

Of Storytelling and Storyteller Dolls - Barbara Jean Hicks

It's been a very emotional week. Yesterday a new owner closed on my mom and dad's house, a one-story house my dad had built for my mom fourteen years ago when she could no longer easily climb stairs, a house that has been my home for the last year and a half since my dad passed away and my mom has been in assisted living. A house that holds many stories, even though its bones are relatively young.

Except for the large furniture, I did most of the moving myself, taking many trips back and forth between Mom's house and the house I'm moving into. Many precious objects--precious because imbued with emotion and memories--have passed through my hands in the last few weeks. One of those is a doll, a sitting ceramic figurine, mouth open, with seven tiny figures sitting in its lap and draped across its shoulders--a Puebo Storyteller Doll.

Three Times Lucky--Lynn Becker's Book Picks

THREE TIMES LUCKY, by Sheila Turnage, was recently nominated for an Edgar Award and received a Newbery Honor as well. It's funny and sweet, with larger-than-life characters and a mystery that builds in intensity as the novel progresses.

Eleven years ago, Mo LoBeau washed downriver during a hurricane, and into the arms of the Colonel, a man with no memory of his past. Together with Miss Lana, a woman with a dramatic flair and a penchant for wearing wigs, the three of them run Tupelo Landing's only diner. When Mr. Jesse turns up dead, and Joe Starr comes to town to investigate a decades old robbery and murder, Mo and her best friend Dale create Desperado Detectives to get at the truth.

Mo is a feisty, smart, and very human character, always a few steps ahead of the adults around her, but she remains vulnerable and likable, even when she speaks her mind. Which she does--often. Sheila Turnage has endowed the town of Tupelo Landing with a plethora of interesting, and for the most part caring, adults who form a vibrant community.

Shrinking Violets Top Ten Marketing Tips

This is a Blast from the Past Interview that I still find very helpful.

Last year, authors Robin LaFevers and Mary Hershey started a promotion blog for shy authors, Shrinking Violets Blog.  I asked them to give me ten marketing tips to help us writers start off the new year.

1. Practice good marketing karma.
Don’t always be thinking “how can I promote my book” but rather "how can I entertain my audience or serve my reader. "

Celebrating Friendship in Children's Books - Barbara Jean Hicks

from the inquiring mind of childrens author and educator Barbara Jean Hicks

Tis the season for candle-lit dinners, heart-shaped candy boxes and red roses—for some folks out there, I’m sure! For me, this year, ’tis the season to celebrate the true loves of my life—my friends, especially those long-time friends who have remained loving and loyal over many years, through thick and thin (and over the course of many romances!).

Some of my all-time favorite children’s books explore and celebrate friendship. Can you identify the title and author of the stories that capture the very special relationships between the following characters? (Answers below—don’t peek till you give yourself a chance to guess!)

1. Anne and Diana
2. Buddy and Miss Sook Falk
3. Frog and Toad (okay, this one’s a give-away!)
4. Jess and Leslie
5. Mike and Mary Anne
6. Nicky and Andrew
7. Omri and Little Bear
8. Ratty and Mole
9. Wanda, Maddie and Peggy
10. Wilbur and Charlotte

Michele Corriel - Writing Tip of the Day

At my first SCBWI Winter Conference, I had the pleasure of meeting Montana RA Michele Corriel.  We immediately hit it off and became fast friends. Not only is Michele a talented writer, she is a blast to hang out with. I asked her to give us a Writing Tip of the Day, and she shares a really easy but helpful way to start a novel.

Reflections - An Exercise for Writers - Barbara Jean Hicks

I work as a supervising teacher for an online middle school/high school. Last Friday was the end of the first term, this Monday the beginning of the second. In preparation for the new term, I wanted my students to spend some time reflecting on their performance.

I sent them a few open-ended questions and asked them to respond via email. The questions I asked elicited some interesting and heartfelt responses that got me to thinking about my own performance--as a writer.

Mary Cronk Farrell - Research Tip of the Day.

I love the SCBWI conferences. Not only are the workshops loaded with great information, the published authors attending always have all sorts of tips as well. Today, historical fiction writer Mary Cronk Farrell gives us an invaluable Research Tip of the Day.

 

Perspiration/Inspiration - Barbara Jean Hicks

from the files
of educator and children's author
Barbara Jean Hicks

I ran across two favorite quotes this week that resonate with me as a writer:

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” -- Thomas Edison

 “If you can see your path laid out in front of you step by step, you know it's not your path. Your own path you make with every step you take. That's why it's your path.” -- Joseph Campbell

 

Lynn Becker's Book Picks

In my first column for this blog, I posted my Best of 2012 picks. This time around, I have three picture books to talk about, ones that I have recently enjoyed:

I just read A IS FOR MUSK OX, written by Erin Cabatingan, illustrated by Matthew Myers. This book had the distinct disadvantage of being released just a few months after Z is for Moose, written by Kelly Bingham and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky. Extremely similar in content, each of these stories features a pushy animal (musk ox/moose) who wants to take over his alphabet book. Each of the stories even manages to feature a long suffering zebra! A is for Musk Ox is very funny, and should be a big hit to read aloud. Talk about bad timing, though--Z is for Moose is not an easy act to follow.

 

 

 

Nancy Castaldo - Nonfiction Writing Tip of the Day

Nonfiction is the hottest commodity in children's publishing these days.  With Common Core standards for 45 states being enacted next year, publishers are looking to purchase more nonfiction.  Nancy Castaldo is ahead of the game. A prolific nonfiction writer, she agreed to give us a handy Nonfiction Tip of the Day!

School Visits: An Author's Perk! (Barbara Jean Hicks)

from the files of
Educator & Children's Book Author
Barbara Jean Hicks

One of the great joys of writing for children is being with children!

I love visiting schools to talk to kids about writing and art, and it was a very special treat for me one day last Spring to go back to Central Elementary School in Ferndale, Washington--the school I attended as a child--as a featured workshop leader for their Young Artist's Fair. I spent all day working with several second grade classrooms, reading from MONSTERS DON'T EAT BROCCOLI and teaching an art lesson on color and pattern.

The great experience doesn't end with the visit. Often, teachers have their students write thank you notes that arrive a week or so later and make me understand anew why I do what a do. It's all about the kids!

Susan Salzman Raab - Promotion Tip of the Day

Susan Salzman Raab is the author of An Author's Guide to Children's Book Promotion. (If you are published or soon to be go buy it!!  It's invaluable!)  She is the marketing advisor for the SCBWI and President of Raab Assoociates Inc., a marketing and public relations agency that works with authors and publishers internationally.  I asked Susan to gives us a quick Promotion Tip of the Day. 

The Stories of Our Lives - Barbara Jean Hicks

from the life and times
of educator and children's author
Barbara Jean Hicks

"Home is where our story begins." So reads the sign on the wall above my computer desk. The sign was a gift, a number of years ago, from one of my sisters. It has held a place of honor in my home ever since, and it holds special meaning now, as I've returned to my hometown to help care for my elderly mother.

Although I never lived in this house my father had built for my mother as they aged--so she wouldn't have to climb stairs to a second story bedroom--I visited them often here, and easily settled in after my dad died and my mom moved into assisted living.

2012 Books of the Year - Lynn Becker's Book Picks

 

It's that time of year again. Awards are coming up, and everyone in the children's book world is talking about their favorites of the past year.

What books did you find the most moving? The most well written? The best-illustrated?

Do you have any predictions for the Newbery, Printz, or Caldecott Awards?

Here is my list of 2012 Favorites:

Picture books:

EXTRA YARN, by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen
I love the old-fashioned feel of this new and original story, and I think the pictures both illustrate and advance the text. I'm giving it my Caldecott vote.

Ann Haywood Leal - Writing Tip of the Day

One of the best things about the SCBWI conferences is that I get to meet all sorts of interesting writiers that I have admired for years.  Ann Haywood Leal is one such writer.  Great at middle grade novels, she also gives us a great writing tip of the day.

Finding Time to Write - Barbara Jean Hicks

I'm lucky to belong to the Northwest Schmooze group that meets between Seattle SCBWI meetings every month. When I'm in town, I try not to miss it. Last week we heard from member Barbara Davis-Pyles, who shared from her own life about bringing balance to the writing life.

Barbara has written numerous books for the educational market and recently finished her first middle grade novel. She also home schools her children, and she has a doctorate in psychology. She knows a little something about balancing life!

Here are her tips for achieving your writing goals--or any goal, for that matter:

1. Identify what's most important to you. We're assuming writing is in there somewhere!

Lynn Becker's Book Picks - New Column for the New Year!!!

I am so pleased to announce a new columnist for the blog to do book reviews. Author/illustrator Lynn Becker has been a friend of mine for many years and her expertise and enthusiasm for children's books will make a valuable contribution to the blog.

Lynn currently contributes children’s book reviews to Shelf Awareness for Readers. She is on the Board of the SCBWI Central/Coastal California region, for which she has run a monthly online Children’s Book Talk for the last ten years. Lynn has worked commercially in animation for film and television, and has produced a number of award-winning, independent animated films of her own.

Her book of the month is featured on her website and What I am Reading.

http://lynnbeckerbooks.com/month.html 

http://lynnbeckerbooks.com/reading.html

 

A Poem for the New Year - Barbara Jean Hicks

from the teaching files
of children's author and educator
Barbara Jean Hicks

In case you missed it last year--

I love this poem about the aftermath of the holidays. Maybe we make resolutions at New Year’s in response to our Christmas regrets? (Oh, the breathless hope of new beginnings!)

WELL, SO THAT IS THAT

Well, so that is that.
Now we must dismantle the tree,
Putting the decorations back
into their cardboard boxes—
Some have got broken—
and carrying them up to the attic.
The holly and mistletoe must be taken down and burnt,
And the children got ready for school.
There are enough
Left-overs to do, warmed up, for the rest of the week—
Not that we have much appetite,
having drunk such a lot,
Stayed up so late, attempted—quite unsuccessfully—
To love all our relatives, and in general
Grossly overestimated our powers. Once again
As in previous years we have seen the actual Vision and failed
To do more than to entertain it as an agreeable
Possibility, once again we have sent Him away
Begging though to remain His disobedient servant,
The promising child who cannot keep His word for long.

W.H. Auden (1907-1973)

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR! May 2013 bring you more pleasures than regrets.

Sketchbook Art - Bethlehem

I love to repeat this post every Christmas.

I have been lucky enough to have visited the town of Bethlehem on Christmas day.  It was one of my parochial school kid's dreams come true.  Our Jewish mother tour guide took us to the Church of the Nativity on Christmas night.  The line was hours long to go down to the cave where the baby Jesus was born, but our guide knew of a secret door that is open only on Christmas. We followed her down and viewed the glorious Nativity scene--surround by chicken wire, just in case someone wanted to take baby Jesus home.  As we sang Christmas carols on our way back to the hotel, the brightest star I have ever seen shone over the land.

On this blessed day, Merry Christmas to all.

A Poem for Christmas - Barbara Jean Hicks

I love Christmas, but this year things have not gone as planned, and I haven't had time to do any of the things I normally do for the holidays--decorating, making Christmas cards, writing a Christmas letter, shopping for gifts, baking.

The tragedy in Newtown on top of the personal challenges I'm facing has affected my desire to celebrate. Listening to Christmas music is the only tradition I've held to this year, and that only because one doesn't need to make an effort to hear Christmas music in December.

I've been paying attention to the words of some of the classic carols, the one below in particular, written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in the midst of the American Civil War. In one stanza he wrote: "And in despair I bowed my head; / 'There is no peace on earth,' I said; / For hate is strong, / And mocks the song / Of peace on earth, good-will to men!” Such a dark time in our history--and yet, reading to the end of the poem, one sees that Longfellow found hope in the midst of despair.

This, to me, is the message of Christmas: In darkness, the promise of light. In struggle, the promise of peace. In despair, hope.

This is my wish for you this Christmas.

CHRISTMAS BELLS

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
    And wild and sweet
    The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Eureka Award - Grand Canyon Readers Nominee

Another one of the great things that happened to me this year with the release of my first picture book: the awards!  This was a part of publication that I never thought about or even hoped for.

In October, I was informed that Hanging Off Jefferson's Nose: Growing Up On Mount Rushmore was awarded the Silver Medal Honor Eureka Award, given by the California Reading  Association for outstanding nonfiction in Children's literature.  What an honor.

Then I was informed in November that my book is also a nominee for the 2014 Grand Canyon Readers Award for Nonfiction in Children's Books.  School kids in Arizona will now have to read the book and vote for their favorite out of ten nonfiction nominees.  I think I already won by having those kids read my book!

In Praise of Critique Groups - Barbara Jean Hicks

Sometimes you don't appreciate something until you don't have access to it any more. Because of the contract I signed for my current work in progress, I can't share it with anyone. Maybe you're used to writing without the feedback of trusted critique partners. I've certainly "written blind" before--but it's been a long time.

Working on my own again has made me realize how much I've come to depend on my critique partners to see the things I don't see in my own writing because I'm just too close to it.

The South Dakota Book Festival

Now that my book is published, I get to spend more time in South Dakota.  I was invited to attend the fabulous South Dakota Book Festival in Sioux Falls for a week in late September.  The festival ran for five days and forty-seven authors presented and signed.  Of those, five of us were children's book authors: Sherman Alexie, Gary Schmidt, Lisa Yee, S.D. Nelson and me. Some company!

I had thought that everyone in South Dakota would know the story of Lincoln Borglum that I wrote about in Hanging Off Jefferson's Nose, but I was delighted that few actually did, so I got to tell it. To South Dakotans,  Mount Rushmore is like the barbecue in the back yard--it is just there.

I had a blast and hope to be invited back next year when the festival will be held in Deadwood.

Reviving Your Out-of-Print Novel as an E-book part 2 - Barbara Jean Hicks

 from the files of children's author
and educator Barbara Jean Hicks

As promised last week, here are the short version instructions for converting your out-of-print novel to e-book format for the Kindle and Nook. I've also provided a link to my second e-book, Cupid's Chase, for an example of marketing copy and keyword suggestions.

Because Amazon and Barnes and Noble provide free e-reader apps for the iPad, iPhone and Android powered devices, these instructions can be used to make your out-of-print novel available as an e-book on pretty much any electronic reading device, including PC’s and Macs. I’ve published two of my out of print novellas as e-books using these instructions. I recognize this was two years ago now, however; if anyone has updated instructions, please comment below!

Holiday book picks

It is true that I know both these authors well, but I'd love these holiday books even if I didn't.

"Like a Maccabee" is Barbara Bietz's award-winning middle grade novel, a Hanukkah story now in paperback. It's about a boy who finds the true meaning of Hanukkah through his grandfather, who has just moved in with the family.

Author/illustrator Carol Heyer's "Humphrey's First Christmas" is the  beautifully illustrated picture book and funny story of Humphrey, a camel who carries one of the Wise Men to see the baby Jesus on Christmas Day.

I highly recommend these books for the holidays!

Reviving Your Out-of-Print Novel as an E-book part 1-Barbara Jean Hicks

from the files of
children's author and educator
Barbara Jean Hicks

In early December 2010, I started thinking about what I wanted to give as a Christmas gift to my friends and fans.

Before I started writing children’s books, I wrote romance novels and novellas. (I know, what a switch!) The rights to one of those novellas, a Christmas romance called "Tea for Two," had reverted to me. What if I could figure out how to format it as an e-book and offer it for free to anyone who wanted to download it to their computer or reading device?

I’m always up for the challenge of learning something new, so the idea was just my cup of tea--so to speak.

A Poem for Thanksgiving - Barbara Jean Hicks

from the teaching files
of children's author & educator
Barbara Jean Hicks

A POEM FOR THANKSGIVING

On this weekend of thanks-giving, here's a favorite poem that celebrates many wonderful gifts we've been given, if only we open our eyes.

Pied Beauty
 
Glory be to God for dappled things—

For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;

For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;

Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings;

Landscape plotted and pieced—

fold, fallow, and plough;

And all trades, their gear and tackle and trim.
All things counter, original, spare, strange;

Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)

With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;

He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change:

Praise him.

Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1899)

The photo of the “couple-coulored skies” is from Ann Wilson’s blog, One Pilgrim’s Journey, and was taken in Strasburg, Colorado. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Happy Thanksgiving

I am thankful for...

my husband Al,
my family, my friends,
my editor Steve Meltzer, the sucess of
Hanging Off Jefferson's Nose,
chocolate cupcakes with white icing,
fine French champagne, sushi,
Maui Jim sunglasses, Mephisto sandals,
being an American,
the SCBWI, my writers' group,
watercolor sketchbooks,
my Big Bertha driver,
costume contests,
our two kitties Toulouse & Monet,
our puppy Honey, gardenias, good health,
and yoga.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Darcy Pattison - Blogging Tip Of The Day

Darcy Pattison is a force in the children's literature industry.  Novelist, teacher and promotion Guru, Darcy is always on the cutting edge.  I grabbed her at a recent conference to ask her to give my readers a Blogging Tip Of The Day.

Hollywood, Here I Come! - Barbara Jean Hicks

When I say Hollywood, I mean Burbank, actually. The working side of Hollywood.

I've flown in and out of the Bob Hope airport in Burbank more times than I can count, but that's been about the extent of my experience with the town that makes Hollywood famous.

All that changed this week. This time Burbank was more than just a place to fly into and pick up a car for other destinations. This time I came to Burbank for Burbank--at the invitation of Disney Worldwide. Yes, THAT Disney.

Leslie Helakoski - Picture Book Tip of the Day

One of the great things about SCBWI conferences it the chance I get to video some wonderful authors. Illustrator/Author Leslie Helakoski gave me a great Picture Book Tip of the Day.

A Poem for Veteran's Day - Barbara Jean Hicks

from the teaching files
of children's author and educator
Barbara Jean Hicks

Sunday is Veteran's Day. To honor all those men and women who have left their homes and loved ones to fight for what they believe in, here's a poem I used to teach for high school English, written by a man who lived in the 17th century. Wars have been waged for a very long time...

To Lucasta, Going To The Wars

Tell me not, Sweet, I am unkind,
   That from the nunnery
Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind
   To war and arms I fly.

True, a new mistress now I chase,
   The first foe in the field;
And with a stronger faith embrace
   A sword, a horse, a shield.

Yet this inconstancy is such
   That thou too shalt adore;
I could not love thee, Dear, so much,
   Loved I not honour more.

                    -- Richard Lovelace

IMAGE: www.morguefile.com

Signing for SCBWI PAL - First Book Journey

People often ask me if it was worth the wait of 17 years to be published--ten to be acquired and seven more before final publication. The answer is "YES!" in so many ways.

Children's publishing is a long waiting game. I was tempted to go the self-published route, but I am so glad I took the traditional publishing way.  Not only has Penguin done so much for me by submitting my book for reviews (raves in SLJ, Booklist and Children's Book Council), they have distributed it nationwide. One of the thrilling events for me this year was selling my book at the Summer Conference PAL event, something I could not have done if I had published my book myself. It was so satisfying and fun to be congratulated by all the authors and illustrators who have been with me on this journey for many years.

Here's a picture of me signing in the tent!

"Where Do You Get Your Ideas?" - Barbara Jean Hicks

from the inquiring mind of
children's author and educator
Barbara Jean Hicks

Anyone who presents in schools as a visiting author hears this question from the audience at some point in his or her career: "Where do you get your ideas?" My answer is always the same. "Ideas are everywhere. I don't have a hard time coming up with ideas. I have a hard time deciding which idea to write about!"

I was inspired to write my concept book I Like Black and White, for example, one summer day when I looked out the window and saw my tuxedo cat, Miguel, sitting in his "meatloaf" position in the back yard. He looked so very black-and-white and beautiful against the green, green lawn! That got me to thinking about all the wonderful things in the world that come in black and white―from tuxedo cats to zebras and piano keys to feet and hands. I researched by finding pictures of black and white animals and items. Out of the pictures came the words, which inspired the wonderful Lila Prap's illustrations.

How I spent my summer...Rushmore! Nick Clifford last living worker.

One of the thrilling parts of being on Mount Rushmore this summer was that I got to meet the last surviving worker on the monument, 91-year-old Nick Clifford. Nick was a driller and also part of the famous Mount Rushmore baseball team, consisting of the workers. He was tickled that I had written a book about Lincoln Borglum, who he said was a gem of a guy. He felt it was high time someone told Lincoln's story. This is what I love about nonfiction: all the people involved in every amazing story.

A Poem for Halloween - Barbara Jean Hicks

from the files of children's author and educator
Barbara Jean Hicks

Who knew how many famous poets wrote Halloween poems?! In my search for a piece to mark the holiday, I found poems on my favorite poetry website, www.poets.org, about ghosts, vampires, witches, haunted houses, goblins and other related topics from the likes of Robbie Burns, Christina Rosetti, Shakespeare, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and George Gordon, Lord Byron, among many others. I love this simple poem by one of my favorite American poets, Carl Sandburg. Enjoy, learn from Sandburg's way with words--and have a spooky Halloween!

SCBWI Summer Conference 2012

I have been attending the SCBWI Summer Conference off and on for 15 years. This year, as usual, turned out to be a blast. The only difference was that for the first time I was attending as a published author!

I decided to take the Nonfiction track and follow the different authors and editors as they gave workshops and tips on nonfiction.  Author Mellisa Stewart, editor Bonnie Bader, author Candace Fleming and editor Laura Goodwin gave informative, uplifting workshops on what the markets want and what their houses were looking for. The good news is that nonfiction is the hottest picture book seller due to the common core standards ready to hit 46 states in 2014. I adored being part of the PAL event and of course the big fun for me is always the costume contest. This year the theme was the Hippie Hop. Yuki Yoshino and Greg Trine have been part of my entourage for 7 years. This year we didn't win, but we had so much fun dancing the night away. The Sunday Golden Kite Luncheon was exceptionally uplifting and I was sad to say good bye to many of my friends until next year.

 

Please Understand Me - Barbara Jean Hicks

from the bookshelves of educator and children's author
Barbara Jean Hicks

No book has been more helpful to me as a novelist than the 1978 self-help tome Please Understand Me: Character & Temperament Types, by David Kiersey and Marilyn Bates (distributed by Prometheus Nemesis Book Company, Del Mar, CA). Most of the many 5-star reviews for this book on amazon.com tout the self-help aspect; it's designed to help people understand and get along with others who march to the beat of a different drum.

I've used it that way, too--but what I really love about this book is that it's a fabulous tool for developing the characters in my novels. Or sometimes for understanding my characters, who will say and do the most unexpected things, all on their own, without my having planned it! (You can't tell me you haven't experienced that--a character who absolutely refuses to cooperate and takes off on his or her own story?)

Molly Sardella - Publicity Tip of the Day

One reason to wait for a traditional publisher rather than self publish is that you get a publicity person to help you with events. I was lucky enough to get Molly Sardella. I met Molly when I was in New York this year. She is bright, funny and always ready to help me set up any event. We all had a good time in my editor Steve Meltzer's office brainstorming ways to promote the book. Here is Molly's Publicity Tip of the Day.

Whole-Novel Revision: How to "Remodel" a Book - Barbara Jean Hicks

Tina and I are both known for our picture books. Tina's recently released Hanging Off Jefferson's Nose: Growing Up on Mount Rushmore, is getting rave reviews and just won a 2012 Eureka Award for Nonfiction from the California Reading Association. My imaginative picture books, including Jitterbug Jam: A Monster Tale, The Secret Life of Walter Kitty, and Monsters Don't Eat Broccoli, have all been well-reviewed and won numerous awards.

But did you know that Tina and I are both novelists as well? I'm thrilled that Tina is once again working on a novel she's had in a drawer for four years now. Dear Joe (working title) is a middle grade historical novel set during the sixties with a unique and very moving take on the Vietnam war. I loved the manuscript when I first read it years ago, and I can't wait to read it after another round of revisions and four years of artistic growth on Tina's part since the last revision.

As for me--I wrote romance novels before I turned to picture books. The rights to a number of these have reverted to me, and I've already revised and published two novellas as e-books (Tea for Two and Cupid's Chase). Revising and publishing several old novels is on my To-Do list. The books were published over a decade ago, and I think (I hope!) I've learned a lot about the craft of writing and grown as an artist since then--so I'm looking forward to the revision process.

Which brings us to the question: what's the best way to approach a whole-novel revison?

Genetta Adair - SCBWI Tip of the Day

Many years ago when I first started the blog I was invited to join the Mid-South SCBWI listserve for Kentucky and Tennessee. I was tickled pink to be part of such a friendly group of southern belles and gents, powered by the talented Genetta Adair. Over the years I have been fortunate to hang out with this group of writers at conferences, dish over the latest kidlit advice and participate in local authors' blog tours. I tracked down Genetta at a conference and asked her to do something different--give us an SCBWI Tip of the Day.

On Putting Yourself Out There - Barbara Jean Hicks

Between Tuesday and Thursday this week I traveled 2400 miles round trip by plane. I ended up with five plane changes, two one way and three the other. (Okay, they were small planes, but I admit, not quite as small as the one in the picture! And yes, that's me. The one on the right. As if you couldn't tell.)

We're talking five seat mates on this short business trip. Lots of opportunities to engage, make connections, be curious, find out things that might be useful to me as a writer. Right?

But that's not me. I'm reserved by nature. Shy. Self-effacing. Concerned about being a bother. So when I fly, I always have my Kindle and my iPad with me. I read. I play Scrabble. My electronic devices keep me from having to come up with something to say.

The downside is--not coming up with something to say keeps me from life. REAL life. Engaging, making connections, being curious, finding out things that might be useful to me as a writer--not to mention enrich my experience of life immensely.

Breakfast with the Authors - Sat October 6th

I am honored to have been asked to participate in the 60th Santa Barbara Author Breakfast this October 6th. 

Twelve local children's authors will attend and sign books.

Registration deadline September 24th

For additional details contact Rose Koller at rkoller@sbceo.org or (805) 964-4711 x 5222.

The Case for Complexity - Barbara Jean Hicks

from the teaching files of educator
and children's author Barbara Jean Hicks

I've written before in this column encouraging authors doing school visits to pay special attention to their state's educational standards as they prepare their programs. An author's ability to tie her presentations to state standards makes her more valuable (and more saleable as a speaker) than an author whose primary focus is entertainment.

Not that we don't want to entertain! Every teacher knows that fun learning is the best learning, so a didactic presentation won't have the same impact as an entertaining one. The trick is to know what students at your target age level are expected to know and help teachers by supporting those concepts in your program in a fun and interesting way.

Understanding standards, as well as general trends in education, is also helpful for authors deciding what to do for their next project. What should you be writing to find a market for your work? How can your personal interests be presented in a way that meets educator's demands? How can your next project help teachers meet their classroom goals and help students learn what they need to know?

Here's some inside information about recent shifts in education policy in the U.S. that may help authors interested in meeting the needs of students and teachers with their next project:

How I spent my summer...Rushmore!

On my summer trip back to Rushmore, I wanted to pay homage to the subject of my Hanging Off Jefferson's Nose, Lincoln Borglum. On the mountain he is always present; the museum is named after Lincoln.  But I found a more fitting homage. A wood-planked walkway surrounds the mountain and leads down into Gutzon Borglum's old studio. On the way back up to the Visitor Center, there is a small stone patio with a bust of Gutzon. The bust was carved by Lincoln. This is where I decided to place my book for both father and son.  Theirs is an amazing American story and I feel honored to have been the one to tell it.

Five Good Minutes - Barbara Jean Hicks

from the bookshelves of educator and children's author
Barbara Jean Hicks

Writing "Morning Pages," an activity described in Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way, is by far the most impactful discipline I've ever practiced. The idea is to freewrite three pages, longhand, before you do anything else in the morning. Many of you have done or are still doing Morning Pages on a regular basis. It's an excellent way to get in touch with dreams and desires, and I've often used my pages to generate story ideas or work out story problems.

But they take me about forty minutes in the morning, and I don't always have mornings so leisurely I can afford forty minutes before I have to start the business of my day. On those days, my go-to book is a little volume with a big title: Five Good Minutes: 100 Morning Practices to Help You Stay Calm & Focused All Day Long. Published in 2005 by New Harbinger Publications and authored by Jeffrey Brantley, M.D. and Wendy Millstine, this book provides short, simple exercises designed to help you "become more present, connect more fully, and enrich your life."

There is something sacred about being present in the moment--letting go of all regrets of the past and fears of the future, and simply being. It's not an easy thing. This little book helps me get there.

The 9/11 Memorial

I write nonfiction books about monuments, so when I attend the SCBWI winter conference I made plans to see the 9/11 memorial.  The books I've written about focus on long ago presidents who shaped history. The 9/11 Memorial honors by name over three thousand innocent people killed while going to work, flying home or heading up stairwells to save lives.  Being there was a moving experience.

The builders of the memorial used the holes where the twin towers had sat, directing a waterfall into a deep pit. The water first pours out from under ledges engraved with  the names of all the people killed on 9/11 at the World Trade Center in 1993.  The names are etched in such a way that you can make rubbings of them.  I didn't know anyone personally who had perished but I made it a point to run my hands over each and every name, and I said  prayers for the loved one who were left behind.

Reflect today on the strength of our country and the resilience of its people.

A Poem for the New School Year - Barbara Jean Hicks

from the Great Poems files of author and teacher
Barbara Jean Hicks

I love September. I suppose because I've been in the field of education for so long, September feels more like New Beginnings to me than January does. I have my brand new September-to-August calendar on my desk, already starting to fill up with staff meetings and student/parent meetings and state test dates and deadlines (and school holidays!).

I like to start the new year off by talking to my students about choices. The choices they make on a daily basis will determine how much they will learn--how successful they are. Because I teach for an online school, daily choices regarding time, energy and attention are especially significant for my students.

Thinking about choices reminds me that for every choice we make, there is a choice we don't make. A road we don't take. One of these days I'll write a novel about roads not taken; I've been noodling on it for years. For now, I read Robert Frost's famous poem about roads converging in a yellow wood and try to be intentional about where I'm going--reminding myself that what's important is not which choice I make but the fact that I make a choice rather than allowing myself to be swept along like one of those yellow leaves in an autumn breeze...

PHOTO COURTESY ANN WILSON, http://one-pilgrims-journey.blogspot.com/