Debbie Ridpath Ohi's Blog, page 81

#BookADay: CHICKEN, PIG, COW by Ruth Ohi (my awesome sister)

I love my sister Ruth Ohi's CHICKEN, PIG, COW series from Annick Press!

Find out more about Donalyn Miller's Summer Book-A-Day Challenge on the Nerdy Book Club site, and you can read archives of my #BookADay posts.

Finding Time To Write Tip #176: Teaching Others To Respect Your Time

 

#BookADay: NEVER LET YOU GO by Patricia Storms (and advice for aspiring children's book writers & illustrators)

Today's #BookADay: NEVER LET YOU GO by Patricia Storms (Scholastic Canada).

You can read my interview with Patricia Storms about her process and personal growth during the creation of her book. Her advice to aspiring children's book writers/illustrators: "Try not to be too obsessed with what is selling in 'the market.'" and "It's really about discovering who you are, and what stories you want to tell."

Find out more about Donalyn Miller's Summer Book-A-Day Challenge on the Nerdy Book Club site, and you can read archives of my #BookADay posts.

#BookADay: BEHEMOTH by Scott Westerfeld, audiobook narrated by Alan Cumming

 

Today's #BookADay: Just finished listening to the audiobook version of BEHEMOTH (2nd in his Leviathan series) by Scott Westerfeld, wonderfully read by Alan Cumming. I've discovered that I can listen to audiobooks when I'm at certain stages of book illustrations, and Behemoth is my most recent audio listen. Here's a fun video interview of Alan Cumming by Scott:

Because I don't own a copy of the print version, I missed out on Keith Thompson's wonderful illustrations, but I found many examples online. You can find out more about the illustrations at the bottom of Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan page.

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Find out more about Donalyn Miller's Summer Book-A-Day Challenge on the Nerdy Book Club site, and you can read archives of my #BookADay posts.

Comic: The Scream

Tip For Aspiring Picture Book Writers: Read picture book stories out loud

I've been reading each of my #BookADay picture books out loud in my office. I've read some before, and some I haven't. Reading them out loud emphasizes even more how IMPORTANT it is for aspiring picture writers to read their stories out loud. 

If you find yourself stumbling over awkward phrasing or dull prose, then you know it's time to revise. Yes, the illustrations are going to add a lot to your story but if it's not an enjoyable readaloud, then it's going to be tougher to find a publisher.

I also encourage you to read other people's picture books out loud. If you're in a public place like a library or bookstore and don't want to disturb other people, then read silently. But HEAR the words in your head.

Also advised: be aware of pacing and page turns. More on this in a future post.

#BookADay - I MUST HAVE BOBO, by Eileen and Marc Rosenthal

You can read more about Donalyn Miller's Book-A-Day challenge and guidelines on the Nerdy Book Club blog. 

See my #BookADay archives for other books I've read or reread during the Challenge.

 


 

#BookADay - WON TON: A Cat Tale Told In Haiku, by Lee Wardlaw and Eugene Yelchin

You can read more about Donalyn Miller's Book-A-Day challenge and guidelines on the Nerdy Book Club blog. 

See my #BookADay archives for other books I've read or reread during the Challenge.

Comic: Starving Writer, Sort Of

#BookADay: A Good Trade, by Alma Fullerton and Karen Patkau

 

Today's #BookADay: A Good Trade, written by Alma Fullerton, illustrated by Karen Patkau, published by Pajama Press in 2012.

You can read more about Donalyn Miller's Book-A-Day challenge and guidelines on the Nerdy Book Club blog. 

See my #BookADay archives for other books I've read or reread during the Challenge.