Beth Anderson's Blog, page 11

Mining for Heart: “Silence Your Inner Critic with the ‘So What?'” by Danielle Dufayet

We’re back! Welcome to 2023! What happens when your “so what?” or “heart” of your story is also the obstacle to writing it? “Drawing a blank” is agonizing to artists of all kinds and of all ages. Here Danielle Dufayet shares her latest book and how she battled her inner critic. 

Danielle is offering a GIVEAWAY! Just leave a comment at the end of the post for a chance to win a copy of BENFORD DRAWS A BLANK.

Silence Your Inner Critic with the “So What?”

By Danielle Dufayet

My fourth picture book, ...

Behind the Scenes: “Adding Doorways into Your Story for Broader Appeal” by Lindsey McDivitt

Here’s a fabulous post by author Lindsey McDivitt on how she used a “family story” and made it viable as a picture book manuscript by developing a plot with “doorways.” While some might call these by different names, such as hooks or layers, doorways is perfect, a way to welcome readers in. Read on to learn about the creation of CHRISTMAS FAIRIES FOR OUMA…

AND leave a comment below for a chance to win your own copy of the book in our GIVEAWAY! 

Congratulations to Danielle Dufayet, winner of P...

Behind the Scenes: “Using Placeholder Words and Stanzas until the Lightbulb Moment” by Debra Shumaker

I absolutely loved Debra Shumaker’s book, FREAKY, FUNKY FISH, so when I learned of her new one, PECULIAR PRIMATES, I invited Debra back in hopes she might share something about it. Her topic in this post is valuable not only for authors, but educators, too! I get stalled way too easily and frequently on imperfect words or phrases in my early drafts.  

Debra is also offering a GIVEAWAY—a copy of PECULIAR PRIMATES!! Leave a comment below to enter the drawing. 

Congratulations to Ashley Sierra, win...

Behind the Scenes: “Composition 101” by Julie Rowan-Zoch

I’ve been in a local critique group with Julie Rowan-Zoch for nine years (Oh wow, has it been that long!) and have had the good fortune to learn a lot of from her. It’s always fascinating to see another creator’s process, especially illustration, since it’s foreign to me.  Here’s a great post from Julie sharing her newest book as an illustrator: NOT ALL SHEEP ARE BORING!, written by Bobby Moynihan. 

GIVEAWAY! Julie is offering a signed copy of NOT ALL SHEEP ARE BORING! Just leave a comment below...

Mining for Heart: “Setting as a Window into Character”

Writing CLOAKED IN COURAGE: UNCOVERING DEBORAH SAMPSON, PATRIOT SOLDIER was a challenge in many ways, just one being that the misinformation about her made it difficult to find HER, the person in history. Why did she do what she did? and What made her who she was? As always, setting was key. And books of the time provided a fabulous window!

So in celebration of books, let’s do a GIVEAWAY! Just leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of CLOAKED IN COURAGE. 

Congratulations to Joyce Uglow, w...

Especially for Educators: “Using Picture Books to Create a Classroom Museum” by Laura Perdew

As a teacher, I always loved classroom projects like this! Thank you, Laura Perdew for sharing this terrific activity for educators and your brand new Biome Explorers series!

AND thank you for offering a GIVEAWAY of a complete set of the BIOME EXPLORERS series! Just leave a comment below for a chance to win! (And please share this with educators!)

Congrats to Lori Alexander, winner of SOMETHING GREAT from Jeanette Bradley!

STEM Picture Book Series: Using Picture Books to Create a Classroom Muse...

Mining for Heart: “The Heart Can Surprise You” by Jeanette Bradley

So many of us have manuscripts in a “drawer”—waiting for a block to clear or a better ending or a new take. I love hearing about the rare occasions when the lightning strikes and the manuscript emerges from doom with a revelation that transforms it. Here Jeanette Bradley shares how a manuscript became more than she had originally imagined.

And…Jeanette is offering a GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy of SOMETHING GREAT.

Congratulations to Carrie Brown, winner of NO SNOWBA...

Behind the Scenes: “Writing a Picture Book Sequel” by Isabella Kung

Every once in a while, kid lit creators get a chance to create a sequel to a picture book they’ve done and let their beloved characters live on. Yay! But there are a few important things to consider. Isabella Kung takes us through her process of creating a sequel to NO FUZZBALL!—her latest release, NO SNOWBALL! 

Isabella is offering a GIVEAWAY! For a chance to win a copy of NO SNOWBALL!, just leave a comment below!

And congrats to Cindy Boyll and Jilanne Hoffman , winners of MIMIC MAKERS: BIO...

Behind the Scenes: “Find the Spark that Ignites Your Story” by Kristen Nordstrom

Though we often hear the phrase, “write what you know,” a good many of us are drawn to topics and ideas that we don’t know about, by a natural urge to know more. And kids are, too! I can totally identify with author Kristen Nordstrom’s experience. In this post, Kristen shares how she turned a lot of information into an engaging nonfiction picture book. 

GIVEAWAY! DOUBLE GIVEAWAY! Kristen is offering 2 copies of MIMIC MAKERS: BIOMIMICRY INVENTORS INSPIRED BY NATURE! For a chance to win, leave a c...

Mining for Heart: “Highlighting the Essential in Biographies” by Donna Cangelosi

After a short lull in posts, we’re back digging into the “heart” of a story. I’m guessing most all of you are familiar with Mister Rogers and know that he made music a part of his show. Here Donna Cangelosi examines music as her focus in writing a bio on Fred Rogers. 

GIVEAWAY! For a chance to win a copy of MISTER ROGERS’ GIFT OF MUSIC, just leave a comment below!

Highlighting the Essential in Biographies by Donna Cangelosi

Writing a picture book about someone as beloved as Fred Rogers felt ...