Cynthia Chapman Willis's Blog, page 10

For the Love of Teachers

When did you discover that you liked or even loved to write or read? I recall deciding that writing was big fun during the second grade, thanks to a teacher who took writing very seriously. Apparently, my mom took note of my budding interest in writing because she saved one of my stories--"The Sloppy Man." Or, as I spelled it back then,"The Sloupy Man." I am happy to report that my spelling has improved a little bit since the second grade, but not my drawing skills. Now you know why I write novels instead of illustrating picture books.

Anyway, my amazing and fabulous second grade teacher encouraged, nurtured and fostered my first leanings toward writing. You probably can't read her note here, but it reads: "I loved reading your sloppy man story. This is a great improvement (note: I've always preferred revisions to first drafts). Isn't writing fun?" I'd like to point out that she wrote this in red. Red! You know that had to have been big. I'm sure I was pretty impressed with myself at the time (shoot, I'm impressed now). Never mind that this story being an improvement over anything is a tad scary. Anyway, I truly believe that thanks to this wonderful teacher at Murray Avenue School, Sloupy Man turned out to be the beginning of my great and mighty love of writing. I am forever grateful to Mrs. Dennison and all the teachers that encouraged this passion. Where would we be without the love and nurturing of our teachers?

How about you? Do you recall when you first felt the spark of passion for writing or reading? Do you have a teacher to thank for this? I bet you do.

Roads to Publication: Part III

Today I wrap up my three-part blog series on publishing while still pursuing a book deal with a trade publisher. And I am happy to introduce you to Shannon Hitchcock. Shannon has written stories and articles for magazines such as Highlights for Children , Ask , Cricket , Pockets, and Children's Writer . She has also interviewed many authors for Sprouts magazine, including yours truly.

Welcome, Shannon! Your list of accomplishments is impressive. Could you tell us a little bit about how you got started writing and selling your stories, articles, and interviews for the magazine market?

I got started by taking a class on writing for the children's magazine market through the Institute of Children's Literature, (ICL). ICL offers correspondence classes that are reasonably priced. I would highly recommend them to beginners.

Do you begin with a subject that you want to write about and then find a home for it? Or, do you research the needs of a magazine and then write a piece to submit? Or are you hired to write?

My magazine work usually starts with a dash of inspiration. For instance, I was reading my college newsletter when I read an article about fellow alum, Wendy Welsh. Wendy is an underwater archeologist working to conserve the remains of Blackbeard's pirate ship, Queen Anne's Revenge. I was fascinated by Wendy and thought kids would be too. I sent her an email and away we went. That article was published by Cricket.

On the flip side, I had written three profile pieces for Pockets magazine, and then one of the editors contacted me and asked if I would write a profile of Katherine Commale. Katherine is a young girl who is raising money to buy mosquito nets for African children. Of course I said yes.

How much guidance do you usually receive from the editors of a magazine?

It depends on the magazine. Highlights for Children editors are very hands on. "My Sister Snores" went through three rewrites before it was published. There's an article on my website about it called "How I Finally Made A Sale To Highlights for Children And How You Can Too."

How has writing and publishing in this market helped you toward your career goals as an author of picture books and middle-grade novels?

Writing for magazines taught me how to write with a story arc, about using active verbs, and how to show instead of tell. It also gave me experience in working with editors and interpreting their feedback. But perhaps the most important thing magazine writing gave me was motivation. Once I saw my name in print, I was completely hooked.

What advice would you give someone who might be interested in writing for magazines?

Read the magazines that you want to write for. Each one has its own personality. If a magazine sends you a rejection letter, rewrite before you submit the story or article elsewhere. A piece that's right for Highlights is not right for Cricket without some tweaking. Also follow the magazine's submission guidelines to the letter. Don't give them a reason up front to reject you.

What are your plans for the future, Shannon? Will you continue to write for magazines? Why or why not?

Never say never, but I'm not writing for magazines as much as I used to. My novels consume huge chunks of my time. The one exception is Sprouts, published by New Jersey SCBWI. I love interviewing other authors and find that I glean information from them that I can use in my own work. In the spring edition of Sprouts, I'll be interviewing Grace Linn, Newbery Honor Author of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon.

Thank you, Shannon! You learn more about Shannon by visiting her at her website: www.shannonhitchcock.com/

Roads to Publication, Part II

Last week I wrote about my publishing experience with educational publishing. Today, I am happy to introduce Linda Benson, author of Finding Chance and The Horse Jar, two middle-grade novels published with Mondo Publishing, http://www.mondopub.com/, a company that publishes classroom materials and books for the educational market.

Welcome, Linda! I enjoyed your books. Could you share your journey to publication with Mondo Publishing? Did you write your novels and then submit them to Mondo? Or, were you hired to write these books? If you were hired to write, how much guidance did the editors at Mondo Publishing provide?

Finding Chance and The Horse Jar were both completed novels when I began submitting to publishers. I did not have an agent at the time, so I researched publishers and made a list of those that accepted unsolicited (and unagented) manuscripts, and Mondo was one of them. I originally submitted The Horse Jar to Mondo, (and it was a "no") and later when I finished Finding Chance, (originally titled "Welcome to California,"), I submitted that one. Almost immediately I got a letter back saying that they liked it, and would like to keep it "under consideration." Being an unpublished writer at the time, I spent days, weeks, months scrutinizing all the possible meanings and ramifications of that phrase, but as time crept on and nothing happened, I stopped holding my breath. So imagine the happy dance I did when about one year later, I got an email offering me a contract. Then, a little over one year after Finding Chance was published, Mondo asked if I had any other manuscripts. I submitted The Horse Jar again. Timing is everything in this business, and this time they loved it, and it became my second book.

I did work with an editor on each book, which was a totally enjoyable process, and I was also allowed some input on the illustrations. It was a great experience each time.

How does the marketing end of an educational publisher such as Mondo Publishing work? How much of the marketing falls upon you?

Although they have had some trade books in the past, I believe Mondo Publishing only markets and sells to schools at the moment. Although my books are not available in bookstores, they are going directly to reading programs at schools, and perhaps in that manner they are getting into the hands of children more directly. I kind of like that idea.

How can people purchase your books?

Schools can purchase my books through Mondo and I also have my books listed on Amazon so my fans and readers can purchase individual copies directly from me.

How has publishing with Mondo benefited your career as an author, Linda? Would you recommend publishing with an educational publisher? Why or why not?

Let me just say that holding your first published book in your hand is one of the biggest thrills of a lifetime – right up there with giving birth. (Well not as good as that, but our manuscripts become so dear to our hearts that getting one published almost feels like giving birth. But all kidding aside, having a published book (and then two) was a huge confidence builder, because then I went from being a "writer" to being an "author."

Would I recommend going with an educational publisher? Of course! As it becomes harder and harder to catch the interest of large publishers without an agent, I think educational publishers are still a great way for newcomers to break into the children's publishing business, but you still have to follow all the rules of querying and have a polished manuscript.

Another good thing about educational publishers is that they may keep your books in print for a long time. In fact, Mondo just came out with a Spanish translation of The Horse Jar, which is a great thrill. It's called La Alcancia De Los Suenos, which means "The Piggy Bank of Dreams." Isn't that a great title?

That is a great title. So, What are your plans for the future? You have these two wonderful novels with Mondo Publishing. Will you publish more with them? Do you aspire to publish elsewhere?

I have three more completed middle grade novels, and I am currently agent shopping. I'd love to have a trade novel out soon, and while we all dream of publishing the next big best seller, I take heart in the fact that children are probably turning the pages of my novels while we speak, hopefully soaking in the words and stories. And isn't that why we write for kids in the first place?

Absolutely, Linda! Thank you so much for that perspective and sharing your journey to publication. For more information, you can visit Linda at her website: http://www.lindabenson.net/

I hope you enjoyed part two of this blog series. Next week I will introduce you to author Shannon Hitchcock. Shannon will share her experiences with magazine publishing.

The Roads to Publication, Part I

The road to publication with a golden, big-time trade publishing company glistening in the sun can seem steep and daunting at times. It can also be rough and full of ruts, potholes, hairpin turns, and dead ends. Perseverance is crucial. A writer needs to be committed to consistently trying to better her story-telling skills and her writing. While traveling this road, some people hone their skills and build their confidence by writing for other markets. They take side trips down other roads toward other publishing options.

The educational market is one such other road or option. During my time as a textbook editor, I wrote and published books for the school market. For each book, I was paid a one-time fee. No, Grab That Crab! and Run, Sid, Run! would never be reviewed by Publisher's Weekly. Nor would Three Pigs and a Wolf or Make Room for a Makeover, but I had fun writing these books. Plus, kids read them in schools and may still be reading them. Writing these books helped me to develop important skills and learn more about the publishing process. And writing these books gave me some publishing credits to share with agents and editors.

Of course, while writing for the school market, I kept working on my own novel, which came to be Dog Gone. I never stopped puttering along the road to the big, beautiful, trade publishing house. I simply veered off to publish elsewhere. This, for me, made traveling the main road a little less intimidating and frustrating.

Have you published or considered publishing in more than one market? Have you written or considered writing an article for a magazine or newspaper? Perhaps something for the school market?

Next week I will introduce you to author Linda Benson. Linda has published two wonderful novels, Finding Chance and The Horse Jar, with Mondo Publishing, an educational publisher. The week after that, I will introduce you to someone special who has published in the magazine markets. So, stay tuned for more on the many roads to publication.

Bits of Information

So… I received a blog award from the fabulous Christy Evers. Thank you so much, Christy!

I am now supposed to post fifteen bits of information about myself that you probably don't know about me. You'll probably fall asleep by number four (I almost did). No one would blame you. Anyway, here goes:

I have three Siamese cats that I adore. I would adopt more if my family didn't threaten me regularly. Also, the label Crazy Cat Lady sort of scares me.



I also love horses. I had a horse while growing up and I really miss riding. In fact, I dream of having my own horse (okay, horses), again some day.

I am really into yoga.

I was obsessively into Tae Kwon Do for a few years until I snapped the ACL in my knee during a Tornado Kick.

I have never received a speeding or other type of driving ticket, which is amazing given that I sometimes pretend that I am a NASCAR driver.

I hate celery.

I am pretty sure that a night out with girl friends is the best form of therapy, especially if sangria is involved.

A chai latte from Starbucks makes my day.

I cannot and will not sing, not even in the car when I am by myself. That's how much I dislike the sound of my own voice.

I am fairly certain that some day I will go to art school, just for the fun of it, even if I am ninety.

I've been known to spend too much money on my hair (it can be wild and unruly). A girl must do what a girl must do.

I have never played a musical instrument and yet I am fascinated by those who do. Envy? Probably.

I am into healthy eating, yet I have a mad addiction to sugar. *Sigh*

I hate being bored—the way a two year old hates being bored. Luckily, it's hard to be bored when you write for a living.

I love my car. Driving it puts me in a good mood. Especially if I'm driving to yoga. Or a bookstore.
And I don't get a ticket.

There. Are you asleep yet?

Now, instead of tagging bloggers, as I'm supposed to do, I'm going to ask you to share some random bits of information about yourself with me. Are you game?

Epiphanies

I welcome a good epiphany. Usually. A sudden insight into the reality or meaning of something is never a bad thing. Well, never?

The other night I got blindsided by a big, fat, uninvited epiphany. As with most epiphanies, this one was sparked by a simple experience—I was reading an author interview in Writer's Digest. But the epiphany itself was not so simple. It felt something like being body slammed by a pregnant elephant. I did not enjoy this particular insight. Not because of it's size, or the slam, but rather because the ah-ha moment targeted my work in progress.

I have been busy revising a novel that I am pretty happy with. The revising has been going along smoothly--until the tackle by the four-ton epiphany. Now, although I believe that this insight will benefit my novel, I wonder if I can pull off what needs to be done. I am grumbling because accomplishing this means that I will have to go back into my structured, set plot and uproot things. I will have to rework and revise. Elements of the novel will become unsettle and characters will get knocked on their butts. Hunks of copy will have to be rewritten and reworked or trashed. The plot will almost certainly get tangled. Doubts and trepidations will surface and interrupt.

So, although I welcome epiphanies, I sometimes dread what they demand. But this is all part of being a writer, isn't it?

What do you think about epiphanies—the good, the bad, and the ugly?

January is Two-Faced?

Did you know that January is named after the Roman god Janus? I didn't. Apparently, Janus is the God of Gates and Doors. Who knew such a god existed? It makes me wonder what sort of gods would exist today if the Romans were still into this assorted god thing. Would there be a god of dishwashers? Or computers? That's a little frightening.

Anyway, apparently old Janus sports two faces. One looks back, over the past year and the other looks forward, toward the year ahead. Maybe I am a complete geek, but I think it's mildly cool that January is named after a two-faced god. Maybe this interests me because I definitely reflect back on the past more in January than I do during any other month of the year (at least until I'm distracted by the Super Bowl). I analyze what went right and what went less than right in the previous year. And I look ahead with great optimism, my head full of grand ideas for revising whatever I'm writing and beginning a fresh story. So, I suppose I'm sort of like Mr. Janus of the two faces. This isn't very sexy, is it?

How about you? Do you reflect back and look forward? Or do you plow ahead, come what may, without glancing back?

Resolution Time

Here comes another new year. I usually don't make New Year's Eve resolutions. Instead, I try to fix as I go. However, for the last few months, I've been too involved in revising a first draft of a novel. I have neglected any and all necessary changes (a.k.a resolutions). So, this New Year's Eve, I'm going to break away from my own tradition and set forth a few resolutions for 2011. Here they are (and no, they have nothing to do with diet or exercise):

To begin with, I'm going to clean up my email boxes. Ugh, this is what I call "a project," meaning a time consuming pain in my tail. Am I the only one who keeps an email in the box until the event or whatever the email is about has been completed or resolved? For the last few months, I haven't deleted anything. And I have four email addresses. Imagine the fun.

Next, I really must pay more attention to my Facebook pages (one for me and one for each of my novels). I'll admit it: I've been focusing on Twitter and neglecting Facebook. I need to get back in the Facebook game.

Also, I resolve to finish the novel in progress. I'm not sure completing this project counts as a true resolution since this has always been my plan, but listing this goal inspires me. After all the chaos of the holiday season, I'll take all the inspiration I can get.

I will read more wonderful books, too. Once again, because I've been all about the work in progress, the height of my To Be Read pile is starting to rival the Empire State Building. I really miss snuggling up with a great book. This resolution should be easy to keep.

Okay, I think that's about it for me. How about you? Do you make new years resolutions? Care to share one or two?

Happy, happy new year to you all!

Cheers to 2011!

Let's make it a great year!

Holiday Quotes

The holiday chaos in the Willis household is shifting into a high gear. So, today I will leave you with a few wonderful holiday quotes before I disappear for a few days. Enjoy!

"Summer fading, winter comes—

Frosty mornings, tingling thumbs,

Window robins, winter rooks,

And the picture story-books."

~ Robert Louis Stevenson

"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!"

~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."

~ AESOP

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, 
and try to keep it all the year."

~Charles Dickens

From Home to home, and heart to heart, from one place to another. The warmth and joy of Christmas, brings us closer to each other. 


~ Emily Matthews

I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and

to all a good-night!"

~ Clement Clarke Moore

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas! Even if you don't celebrate Christmas, I hope your day is merry and bright.

A Few Favorite Things

Raise your hand if you've been hearing festive holiday music everywhere. I crawled out of my car the other day to the tune of "My Favorite Things" wafting through the parking lot. Yes, the parking lot. Kind of cool. You know this Rodgers and Hammerstein song, right?

"Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels

Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles

Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings

These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes

Silver white winters that melt into springs

These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites

When the bee stings

When I'm feeling sad

I simply remember my favorite things

And then I don't feel so bad"

This song always inspires me to consider a few of my favorite things. And yes, I adore whiskers on kittens and cream-colored ponies (any ponies, really), but here are a few more things that lift my mood when, say, a bee stings:

Books (I know, what a shocker). Some of my treasured holiday reads include The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore and A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. A Christmas Carol might be my most favorite holiday story EVER. I'm a little embarrassed to share that I read this story almost every year. I should have it memorized by now.

Christmas cookies. Here is one of my favorite recipes--Russian Teacakes (cookies, really):

1 cup butter (or margarine) softened

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup finely chopped nuts

1/4 teaspoon salt

powdered sugar (to coat cookies)

caramel cubes cut into quarters

Heat oven to 400 degrees

Mix the butter, the 1/2 cup of powdered sugar and the vanilla. Stir in the flour, the nuts and the salt until the dough holds together. Roll dough around each piece of caramel to form a s mall ball. Place these balls about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake them for 10-12 minutes, or until set and a very light golden, but not brown.

Roll each cookie in powdered sugar while still warm. Let them cool. For those with a sweet tooth, roll cookies a second time in powdered sugar.

Seeing DOG GONE and BUCK FEVER out in the world. Spotting my books here, there, and everywhere still rocks my world. Here's DOG GONE at a book fair in Virginia.

Writing I'm pretty sure that writing books is the greatest job in the world, at least for me.

Last but not least: family, friends, all creatures great and small (except, maybe, bedbugs and spiders), and chai lattes also belong on this list of my favorites.

What about you? What are some of your favorite things?