Carmela Dutra's Blog, page 2

Three Things I hope to Accomplish in 2019

The start of a new year is like a blank slate. We don’t know what will be written upon it, but the exciting prospect is that there are loads of things we can engrave upon it!

My author pals and I are sharing our hopes – on the writing road and in our family life – for 2019 in our #Gr8Blog hop about what we hope to accomplish in 2019. When you are done reading up on what I am hoping to achieve in 2019, check out some of the other excellent blog links at the bottom of this post.

Completing my third Little Katie Book.

©CarmelaDutra

I have been rattling around many Little Katie Books for a while. It’s time to do something with them. Now that I am contracted with three school districts (hopefully four in a matter of just a few short weeks after we finish up the details) for regular author visits throughout the school year, they each ask the same question; “When is the next Little Katie coming out?” Working with many schools and often the same students over the years, it requires me to have fresh content to share with them. Honestly, sometimes just the thought of supply and demand with the schools becomes a little overwhelming.  This series is super popular among the districts as it fits with the common core standards for STEM Education. I am excited to announce that there will be new characters added to the series!  My ultimate goal with Little Katie is to encourage girls (and boys too!) in science. I am hopeful by bringing a little more diversity into the stories; I will be able to accomplish just that.

 

Finding a Forever Publishing House

 

I am very realistic on how long this could take, and I am OK with that. After much discussion with some friends in the publishing business, the book buying market, and my various contacts with the schools and librarians, I know that I will need the backing of a publishing house to help me accomplish my goals with Little Katie. Being able to bring Little Katie into the classrooms these past few years has been a dream come true! Landing three contracts with school districts where I am booked for author visits and being able to do this author thing for a living has been beyond my wildest dreams. However, there is only so much I can do on my own when it comes to distribution. I do not have my sights set big. I am happy to and eager to work with a small house as long as we share the same goals. To get Little Katie into the schools to encourage girls in an area where they are not overly encouraged. I want to help bridge the gap of women in the STEM/STEAM fields. This is a hope for me in 2019, not a must, but a hope. I will be OK if things do not go according to plan, I am the type that expects the worst and hopes for the best. If it’s going to happen, it will, whatever will be.

Organization

This might seem like a simple thing, I assure you, for me, it has become the task at hand. 2018 we did a slight remodel with our garage turned guest/office/ laundry room. After everything was finished and the dust literally settled, many things are still not put back in place.  With an always on the go active three-year-old, it is becoming harder to keep track of where things are. Being that I work from home, it is vital for me to keep my workspace as cleaned and organized as possible. I cannot work in clutter. It drives me absolutely, positively, bonkers! When I am done with a project, the room might look as though hurricane Carmy just swept through, but that’s my process. Start off clean and everything at my fingertips, finishing with what appears to be a natural disaster. If I cannot have my workspace fully organized, and everything put away, then my other two goals will be next to impossible for me to accomplish. For that matter, all of my other objectives will become a Herculean task.

 

Your Turn

What do you want to accomplish on your bucket list this year? Please share in the comment section.  And for more inspiration, please visit my #Gr8blog pals below.  If you blog and want to join us on this hop, just add the family-friendly link to your post in the comment section. We’ll visit and give you some blog love.

Find more inspiration and 2019 wishes by visiting my awesome #Gr8Blogs pals:
Cat Michaels
Sandra Bennett

​Shana Gorian

Julie Gorges

Jacqui Letran

Rosie Russell
Rebecca Lyndsey

The Ups, Downs, and In-Betweens of 2018

Was 2018 a crazy roller coaster ride for you? Smooth sailing? Milestone events?

My writer pals and I are remembering the happy moments as well as lessons we learned from challenges this past year in our blog hop: My Ups, Downs, and In-Between on the 2018 Writing Road.

Check out our personal reveals, then visit the other #Gr8Blogs linked at the end of the post for more shared recollections and lessons learned along the way. We hope you’ll be inspired to dive into your own special memories of 2018!

What lesson did I learn from 2018? What did I celebrate? What exciting announcements do I have to share for next year? I guess you will have to read on to find out!

Each year is not without challenges. Some days throughout this past year I was ready to pull my hair out and just wished for 2019 to be here already. Then, something would happen and make me appreciate what I just went through. Life is full of milestones. You have the big ones that everyone shares: driving, graduation, marriage, children, the list can go on. One thing that everyone can agree with is to reach the “big milestones,” you have to enter and appreciate the smaller ones. Without those small milestones, you will never reach the bigger ones you are dreaming after. That is one of the biggest things I am walking away with, welcoming and enjoying change and the small milestones that lead up to the bigger ones.

At the end of 2017, I made a choice, one that was scary for me as a writer. I chose to walk away from the publishing house I had always known. I decided it was in the best interest in my books to look elsewhere. I knew in my heart of hearts that this was the smartest move I could make, but I was still scared out of my wits. I was 110%  alone! Everything I did was on me. Fail or succeed was on me. That was a lot to take in. I always had a house that backed me. If something failed on their end, it was their fault, not mine. Taking that leap to walk away was a lot of pressure. Pressure is not always bad. Without pressure, we wouldn’t have diamonds.

Starting 2018 and knowing that moving forward as a writer was all on me kicked things into overdrive. I had clear goals in mind, and I knew that to attain these goals I was going to have to work harder than I ever had. Along the way, I had many ups and downs. I experienced rejection. While that can be a bitter thing, it also can keep you humble. I chose to look at that as a small milestone. Had I not walked away from my former publishing house I would not have taken that step to branch outside of comfort zone with submitting for awards and various other things. Kicking things into overdrive ended up leading to burnout. I had to take a step away from all things social media and focus on my family. I learned the vital lesson of balance and humbly recognizing one’s limits.

Success! I was able to produce a new Little Katie book! One that I did from start to finish, on my own! That is a milestone. Something I had never done before, and one that I celebrated joyfully. Little Katie is an

Informational fiction picture book series geared toward schools. Being able to continue producing this series on my own to use for schools has been a dream come true! It has also been super great to move at my pace with production. Another milestone in my writing endeavors was winning two more awards for my first book in the Little Katie series, Little Katie Goes to the Moon. This book has now won three literary awards on its merit. I am still baffled and humbled by this. I never expected Little Katie to receive such praise.

 

 

One of the biggest celebrations this year was nothing related to writing. This past August/September marked two very special anniversaries. In August, my adopted grandparents had a jubilee that not many have the opportunity to experience. This is what beauty looks like, true love at its finest! These two fantastic examples of a power couple celebrated 60 years together! 60 years! With all of the problems that can, and often do affect married couples, its refreshing to see two rock-solid examples of enduring love. 

Following their anniversary my husband and I had our own in September. We hit the big one zero! David is my best friend, support system and confidant. Without his encouragement, I would not do half of the things I do. Celebrating ten years of marriage was so special, even more so was to share it as a family of three. Speaking of three, this little fella in the middle of the picture is almost three!  

In October of this year, I made another scary decision. With the encouragement from my husband David, I decided to quit my job as a professional photographer, allowing myself to focus solely on the author side of things. I went to school for photography. I genuinely love and enjoy it, but the joy does not compare to what I experience working with the schools. I was always split, one foot in two places, never fully able to commit to one. November 1st, 2018, marked the first day of my new journey as a full-time author. I cannot even formulate the words to describe how taking that step as made me feel. The best I can say is a mix of elation and fear. Again, pressure isn’t always a bad thing. Having entirely devoted myself to being an author I am now contracted with two new school districts and a third in the works.  If I had continued with one foot in both jobs I would likely have become stagnant. My dream has always been to work with as many schools as possible, and that dream is now a reality.

All of what I have shared with you has been a mix of big and small milestones. The most important lesson I learned in 2018? Don’t be afraid of change. The choice I made at the end of 2017 to walk away from my former publishing house caused a ripple effect. How far those ripples will extend is still to be determined. I am eager to enter into 2019 and see what ripples come next.  I will be yet again stepping out of my comfort zone to see if I can find new representation for the Little Katie series. Regardless if I do or not, I have already found joy and success in life beyond measure.

How was your year? What was your biggest accomplishment/event? Do you have a valuable lesson you learned in 2018? Please share in the comment section below!

For more Up, Down, and In-Between 2018 moments, visit the #Gr8blogs below:

Cat Michaels

Rosie Russell

Julie Gorges

Rebecca Lyndsey

Check back for additional blogs to be added. Thanks for stopping by! If you’re a blogger and want to join us on this hop, just add the family-friendly link to your blog in the comment section, and we’ll be happy to show you some blog love.

Behind the drawings of Inktober

A few weeks ago I wrote a blog entitled “What is Inktober?” In this blog, I gave an overview of what this month-long celebration is all about. If you have not had a chance to check it out, you can click on the link above to learn more. Now that the month of Inktober (observed in October) has come to a close, what did I accomplish? What did I learn about myself as an illustrator? I took to inquiring the same things from two fell terrific authors and illustrators of children’s literature. I loved what they had to say so much. I would like to share their thoughts with you as well.

What did I appreciate from participating in Inktober? I certainly learned more about techniques with using just ink. I have never spent a month of art only using pen and ink, that was something outside of my comfort zone.  I enjoyed seeing how each fellow artist interpreted each of the prompt words, something as simple as the word mud, or double was translated into such vastly different drawings. I was challenged to think outside of the norm. It also helped me to step back and not be so literal with words. I am the type of person who takes things literally, so there were some words I had to really think about how I would draw them to reflect not just the word, but my feelings too.

There were some days where I questioned why I was participating in this 31 one day challenge, and I was ready to give in the towel. I kept trudging along, thinking: Just one day at a time. I am glad I stuck it out. I do feel as though I accomplished something as an artist. If anything, it helped to ensure that I took a little bit each day for something artistic.

Something that made this a little more challenging for me was I running two different accounts for Inktober. My author page, and my anime page. Doing that pushed me each day a little further than before. Instead of just one drawing a day, I was creating two drawings a day! I also gained valuable insight into what my audience liked. One of my least favorite illustrations was for the word Jolt. I drew a lightbulb. I even questioned if I should share it because I disliked it so much. Much to my surprise, that was one of my biggest hits! That helped me to be a little less critical of my art.

Here is what Karen Emma Hall had to say regarding Inktober.

What I enjoyed about Inktober was how it brings artists together in supporting and appreciating other people’s art. Getting inspiration from so many people in one place. And it’s not just arty people, but people wanting to try and create something they hadn’t created before. And for artists, it is so good to see what boundaries they can push and improve on. This year I learned that it is so good to work at your own pace and how much I enjoyed putting a few prompts into one piece when I was unable to do a picture every day. Each year I hope to partake and maybe when I have a few inks done I can use them again if need be. It’s not the skill that’s important, rather the creativity and seeing where your imagination can take you. Improving is the overall key I believe. Enjoying it, so you look forward to creating another piece.

Check out these killer pieces she created for Inktober! If you want to see more of her illustrations or to learn more about her as an author or illustrator, you can visit her on Facebook, or Instagram. 

Now, notice what Corrina Holyoake had to say, and some advice she gives to anyone thinking about participating next year. I learned that sometimes less is more and it was interesting seeing which subjects were people pleasers. It helped me quite a bit in terms of what my audiences like which will be put into use when I launch my new website and shop.  My bit of advice is just to have fun with it, and if you can do a few before then that will help you stick with it, but you don’t get the official list until a couple of weeks before which makes it tricky. Don’t feel that you have to produce a masterpiece each time, even a quick doodle will keep you in the game, and there are no rules saying you can’t use old pieces but try to do as many new pieces as you can to challenge yourself. Will I participate next year? I very much doubt it haha. If my work schedule allows it then yes I would, but I found it hard going this year as I have four books being worked on in the background so it has been a huge challenge and I did nearly give up halfway in. 

Check out these epic pieces she created for Inktober! If you want to see more of her illustrations or to learn more about her as an author or illustrator, you can visit her on Facebook, or Instagram. 

I encourage you to check out both of these artists and their creations. I also challenge you to join us next year for Inktober. Even if it’s just one drawing for the entire month, even if that drawing is a simple stick figure, give it a try. Add a little art to your life and become apart of the Inktober community.

Did you share in Inktober2018? Did you like any of the illustrations you saw? Leave a comment below and share your favorite prompt words and pictures that accompanied them.

What is Inktober

If you have been online in last couple of days you may have noticed a number of drawings with a hashtag of inktober or inktober2018. What is world wide phenomenon that is taking place? Keep reading and see how you can be apart of this fun experience. 

What is inktober? 

Inktober began in 2009 thanks to an artist who refers to himself as Mr Jake Parker. Jake says on the Inktober website that he started Inktober as a way of challenging himself to improve his ‘inking skills’ and as a way of ‘developing positive drawing habits’.

More and more drawing enthusiasts take part in Inktober each year. Those who participate range from individuals who enjoy drawing stick figures to professional comic book artists, and everyone in between! 

I have participated off and on over the past few years, but I never made the time to stick with it daily. All of that changes this year. I was determined that I would participate everyday for the month of October. I also am aiming to follow the prompts as long as I am inspired by them. Otherwise, I will just ink my own drawing to keep the momentum. 

Even Thai have not participated every day since starting, Inktober is something I look forward to with my fellow artists. I think it’s a simple and amazing concept. It makes artists either professional or amateur do something fun and perhaps outside of their comfort zone. 

How to take part in Inktober . . .

Inktober is a ‘simple concept’. If you are into art you will often see drawing challenges on different social media platforms – Inktober is no different!

1) The idea is to draw something every day for the whole month of October. But as it says on the Inktober website – challenge yourself to something attainable. If you can only manage to create a drawing every other day make that your aim!

2) If you are looking for inspiration on what to draw you will find a handy prompt list on the Inktober website, right here!  

3) Your Inktober drawings have to be in ink but you can do a pencil under-drawing, and include color if you like. 

4) You will need to post your drawings online using the hashtags #Inktober and this year #Inktober2018.

Here is my interpretation of the word Tranquil. For me, octopus’s are tranquil and calming to observe. 

Why do artists take part in Inktober?

I cannot speak for everyone but for me this is why I am participating. I will be able to see my skills evolve over the month. You’re a better artist because of it.

I recommend anyone to try and commit to this challenge, it will make you a better, more organised artist. Also it will help you to think and create outside of your comfort zone. If you cannot participate all 31 days, that’s okay! Even if you can only draw one sketch, you have had a share in Inktober. 

Have you shared in this world did celebration before? What do you like about it most? Share a photo in the comments below with your Inktober drawing! 

 

Why you should take a break from social media

Think of a moment today when you didn’t have your phone, or maybe a moment in which your phone wasn’t within three feet of you. Can you think of one, honestly? The only thing that comes to mind for me is when I was getting dressed for the day and left my phone on the kitchen table.  When you really think about it, your phone is always there.

As an author, you are on social media a lot. You stay hyper-connected through the digital age. Really, this can be said of anyone who is self-employed. It’s the norm to constantly be on social media and email, connecting with clients and other industry members in one way or another. However, it is important to give yourself a break from social media, for sanity’s sake, and to slow down so you don’t get burnt out on all the technology surrounding our lives. I know, I recently became burnt out with the digital world surrounding me. I took a social media break for several weeks, and now I feel refreshed.

Our phones are becoming our shadows. It’s something that is always with us. Following us. We’re always holding it in our hands or checking it. Who needs small talk in line when you can refresh Instagram to see a photo that someone posted that you don’t really care about?

This has led me to the conclusion that we are wasting precious time. Would you really want your last memory to be choosing which filter makes you look better? We’re missing some of the most valuable times of our lives because we are too busy staring at a screen.

Can you imagine saying, ‘I don’t need to go out to social gatherings or really much of anything anymore because I can watch someone’s snapchat story and experience the same thing.’  I didn’t grow up like this, we had one home phone, that was is it. We played outside, living in the moment, that was how we created memories. If someone happened to snap a photo, great! If not, I still have the memories of the slip n’ side in the backyard. When everything we do becomes posted to social media, then in a sense, nothing is special anymore–when something exciting happens we need a photo, we need to post it to social media, we need a creative caption. What we need to do is stop. We need to stop living in a world trapped by our screens and start living in the real world.

Now, okay, I am saying how we need to live in the moment and not post as much to social media. However, I am not saying it’s the devil and we need boycott it fully and delete our accounts. No. Social media can be a WONDERFUL tool to keep in touch with distant families and friends. As a small business owner, it’s a great way to connect with past, present, and future clients. What I am saying is we need to keep it in its proper place. Otherwise, if we are not careful it can start to become a time waster. Time is the one commodity that everyone has equally, it is a very precious one.

So, why should you take a break from social media? This is what I have felt and learned from taking a break from social media.

You get to live in the moment.

You’ll have so much more time.

You’ll have extra time.

You’ll find yourself happier.

How to take a break? Everyone has different needs, and the length of time that one person would like a break from social media might differ from that of the next person. Three easy steps.

Start leaving your phone in your bag or don’t keep it next to you all the time. Turn it off unless you have an emergency or are expecting an important call.

Just leave your phone at home. One of my best days ever was when I accidentally left my phone at home for an entire day. I wasn’t worried about anything.

If you really want a break just delete the apps that you spend the most time on. Yeah, you heard me. Go ahead and delete Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter. I’m not saying you should go in and delete all of your accounts, just the apps.

Again, I’m not saying that people who post things on social media are horrible, or that you shouldn’t share information with people. I have been known to share too many photos oh my cats or tweet about the random things that have happened to me. I think it’s awesome when people have something to celebrate. Or when they want to share a photo of their family, a fun day they had, or even a funny cat video. However, it’s also important to take a step back from this social media world that we’re a part of and be able to realize what’s truly important–living in the moment.

What are your thoughts about social media? Do you feel the need for breaks? Have you taken one? If so, what did you feel after doing so?  Please share your comments below!

Summer Road trip: Family Friendly things to do in the San Jose Bay Area

Summer is the perfect time to hit the open road: School’s out, the weather’s warm, and the possibilities are endless. The only dilemmas? Deciding on a destination and somehow affording everything you want to pack into your itinerary. My author pals and I have decided to team up and share about where we live, and take you on a 2018 road trip with us! Check out the links listed at the bottom of this week’s blog, and explore some hidden gems all over the US, the UK, and Australia! First stop, The Bay Area!

Welcome to San Jose/Silicon Valley 

We do know the way to San Jose-it’s at the heart of Silicon Valley.  The area is growing at the speed of new technology (idea today, IPO tomorrow). Like Steve Jobs, the Valley believes in the culture of possibility-all the better to make your visit a fun, successful venture. What is so great about San Jose is it’s only 55 miles from San Fransico. In good traffic (non-rush hour), you can make the drive in just under an hour. So you can stay where it’s cheaper to room and visit the city during the day. Living in the Bay Area offers excellent opportunities. You are only a five-hour drive to the snow in the winter, or even just a short drive to the beach in the summer. The entire Bay Area is a giant melting pot. No matter what you are craving, or looking to do, the Bay has you covered.

With so many things to do and see in San Jose and the Bay Area, the options are infinite. But let’s say, you only have 48 hours to spend in SJ? It’s easy to plan your trip with these suggested itineraries and trip ideas for you to explore and uncover the best of San Jose. If you have more time, I’ll share a few spots outside of San Jose that you might also enjoy visiting.

Day 1

If you are staying in the downtown area, then I’ve got you covered. Start the morning with a leisurely stroll down Paseo de San Antonio and fuel up with a cup of coffee at Philz Coffee, a Bay Area institution. I promise, if you enjoy a good cup of joe, then this is the place for you! Choose your brew from a selection of over 30 unique blends (my favorite is philtersoul made sweet and creamy) and watch as the baristas work their magic. Just next door, get breakfast at La Lune Sucree and choose from savory crepes, buttery croissants, and tasty pastries, made from scratch.

Are you here with your kids? Well, then there are two really awesome places you can take them to.  The Tech Museum of Innovation and prepare for a hands-on experience with the latest and greatest technology in Silicon Valley, not yet available to consumers. Design a real robot using sensors and controllers at Social Robots, understand your physical and emotional state with wearable technology at Body Metrics and experience a simulated earthquake on the Shake Platform with varying magnitudes from actual earthquakes. This place is ideal for older children around middle school age is perfect! If you have younger ones, then might I suggest the Children’s Discovery Museum. It’s wopping52,000 sq.ft. Purple building, designed by Mexico City-based architect Ricardo Legorreta, signals the Museum’s purpose: to serve the needs of children, families, and schools as a center for learning and discovery. Recent expansion outdoors adds another half-acre filled with activities designed to be a bridge to nature for the community’s children and families.

Walk to the Convention Center light rail stop, pay $4 for an eight-hour pass, and hop on any northbound rail car for a short trip up North 1st Street to explore one of three remaining historical Japantowns in the U.S. While you are there, you can eat at one of the locally own restaurants in the community, or if you prefer something quicker, there are fast food options as well.

Evening

San Jose is fortunate to have warm evening weather, so don’t bundle up, but bring a light sweater when you head out to eat. San Pedro Square Market is a lively evening in a social dining atmosphere. Choose the cuisine that suits your mood from hefty tri-tip sandwiches at Bray Butcher Block & Bistro, sushi tacos at Blush Raw Bar Lounge, mouthwatering burgers with an Asia Pacific influence at Konjoe Burger Bar or fresh banh mi at On a Roll. Once you’ve made your entrée selection head to the outdoor patio and have a seat next to the Peralta Adobe to admire San Jose’s oldest building.

Insider tip: Hit up The Market on a Friday or Saturday night for live music from local bands and check their event calendar for other fun activities happening regularly.

Day 2

A great local chain restaurant is Bills Cafe.  This is a great brunch place that is good for kids. I love their bread pudding french toast, yum! Be warned, they get VERY crowded and are only open until 2 pm. There are many locations all over the San Jose area. They even have patio seating so you can bring your furry friends with you.

After you’ve eaten, you might want to either take a walk or sit while the kids play a bit. I would be remiss if I did not include Emma Prusch Park. This is a free park and farm that is a must see. I take my little guy here regularly, and it’s an excellent opportunity to learn about farm animals up close and personal.

History:

Emma Prusch cherished her dairy farm, which initially was an 86 acre site. In her generosity, she deeded the property to the City of San José in 1962 to be enjoyed as an agriculturally based park in the center of a busy city. Miss Prusch specifically requested that the land keep its country feeling, preserving the quality of the Santa Clara Valley that she remembered when trees and animals were more prominent than houses, freeways, and shopping centers.

Afternoon

Are you hungry again? Take a lunch break at casual and walk-up-to-order food at Falafel’s Drive-In, a San Jose institution and featured on the Food Network’s Diner, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Be sure to pair your gyro or falafels with their signature banana milkshake. If you’re still feeling full, you can save this place for dinner. San Jose is home to two locations featured on Tripple D. The other restaurant is Naglee Park Garage. Be aware though. They are only open from 4:00- 9:30 pm and is a small location that fills up fast, so there might be a wait.

 

Next up, head to the beautiful Rose Garden neighborhood for a visit to the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum where you can view the most extensive collection of Egyptian artifacts on exhibit in western North America. Among the 4,000 exhibits on display see authentic objects from pre-dynastic times through Egypt’s early Islamic era. Step outside and wander through the replica 18th dynasty Rosicrucian Peace Garden. Just one block from the museum, smell the beautiful rose blooms at America’s Best Rose Garden, the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden, a 5½ acre park with 4,000 roses and over 250 different rose varieties.

Insider tip: Your ticket also gets you into a show at the Rosicrucian Planetarium, with showings every day at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

There you have it! You’ve just explored San Jose in two days. You were able to pack a punch into such a short visit. If you have more time, you can check out things like the Computer History Museum, or some outlet shopping at the Great Mall. Hope you enjoyed the inside scoop. Be sure to check out these other great blogs to know where to go when you visit their hometowns. Or, you can enjoy a virtual stroll through their side of the world.

Do you have any tips to share for the San Jose/Bay Area? I would love to hear them and check them out myself!

 

K. Lamb – California

Julie Gorges – Southern California

Cat Michaels – North Carolina

Rosie Russell – Kansas City, Missouri

Rhonda Paglia – Western Pennsylvania 

Rebecca Lindsey – West Virginia

Sandra Bennett – Canberra, Australia

 

STEM & STEAM Education. The new way of learning. Are you ready?

I was at Target the other day and noticed that back to school shopping is already upon us! Umm, can someone please tell me where summer went? While you are at it, can you please inform me what happened to 2018? Seriously! Didn’t summer JUST start? Okay, now that my rant is over, it leads me to ask you this. If you are a parent, is your child attending a school that has a STEM or STEAM-based curriculum? If you are an educator, do you implement these facets into your teaching?

What is STEM? What is STEAM? Have you heard these acronyms floating about through conversations? Perhaps you have heard them here, on this blog site, on my website, or on my Facebook and Instagram pages.  STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines — science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. Rather than teach the four disciplines as separate and discrete subjects, STEM integrates them into a cohesive learning paradigm based on real-world applications.

STEAM is a way to take the benefits of STEM and complete the package by integrating these principles in and through the arts.  STEAM takes STEM to the next level: it allows students to connect their learning in these critical areas together with art practices, elements, design principles, and standards to provide the whole pallet of learning at their disposal.  STEAM removes limitations and replaces them with wonder, critique, inquiry, and innovation.

The importance of STEM and STEAM education

According to a report by the website STEMconnector.org, by 2018, projections estimate the need for 8.65 million workers in STEM-related jobs. The manufacturing sector faces an alarmingly massive shortage of employees with the necessary skills — nearly 600,000. The field of cloud computing alone will have created 1.7 million jobs between 2011 and 2015, according to the report. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that by 2018, the bulk of STEM careers will be:

Computing – 71 percent
Traditional Engineering – 16 percent
Physical sciences – 7 percent
Life sciences – 4 percent
Mathematics – 2 percent

These statistics are astounding! I had no idea how much of a shortage there was in these fields. Don’t allow this to intimidate you and think you have to go to a four-year college and spend thousands of dollars on a degree. STEM jobs do not all require higher education or even a college degree. Less than half of entry-level STEM jobs require a bachelor’s degree or higher. You can attain most (if not all) of what you need by attending a trade school, or even community college. I’m a considerable advocate for trade and community college, mostly because I went to one and received great hands-on training.

STEAM is an integrated approach to learning which requires an intentional connection between standards, assessments and lesson design/implementation
True STEAM experiences involve two or more standards from Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and the Arts to be taught AND assessed in and through each other
Inquiry, collaboration, and an emphasis on process-based learning are at the heart of the STEAM approach
Utilizing and leveraging the integrity of the arts themselves is essential to an authentic STEAM initiative
Seamless lesson implementation processes and strategies

 

The Heart of STEM and STEAM Education

Growing up, I attended STEM schools before they were labeled as a “STEM School.” I have had the privilege of observing first hand and discussing with teachers and district officials how these two curriculums are adapted into the schools.  STEM and STEAM’s foundations lie in inquiry, critical thinking, and process-based learning. That is extremely important. The entire idea surrounding these lessons and the approach is that it’s based around questioning. Questions that require more than turning to google for the answers. Looking back, I can see how both of the elementary and high schools I attended had these values at their core. I am forever grateful for the STEM and STEAM-based education I received.

Inquiry, curiosity, being able to find solutions to a problem, and being creative in the finding of the answers is at the heart of this approach. STEM and STEAM are EVERYWHERE in life! From the building you are sitting in, or the way you are reading this blog required both the elements of STEM and the artistic side to pull it all together and make it functional.

Supporting STEM and STEAM

Because STEAM is in every part of daily life, it is so vital for our children to engage in STEAM-education. A topic of such importance demands a prominent place in our education system in the broadest sense—from the classroom to the after-school setting, to the home. Science literacy is as essential as reading, writing, and art for all people. That is why I started writing the Little Katie series, to help encourage girls (and boys!) to look into these fields at a young age. To not be afraid of them. Instead, to learn about them and become excited about them.

To help further my support of both the STEM and STEAM fields and my love of literacy, I will be giving away signed copies of both of my Little Katie Books! Little Katie Explores the Coral Reefs will be released on July 30th, 2018. I will be holding a book launch party on August 1st, 2018 to celebrate! Visit, Facebook.com/authorcarmeladutra and check out my pinned post to learn more!

How to write a children’s book

In the first blog of my two-part blog series, I addressed the question of why I write children’s literature. You can view that blog by clicking here!

This week, I wanted to address a key point about writing children’s books, and I also want to share a few points that I keep in mind when I am writing.

When someone learns about me and my books, I start the count — 3…2…1…— just waiting for the inevitable question:

“You write children’s books? I have a children’s book! Can I send it to you?”

This is strangers who ask me this. Literally, I’m waiting at the DMV and this has happened to me on more than one occasion. This has occurred while shopping, riding public transit, you name the place and most likely I’ve been asked at that location.

What most people don’t know is that editors receive more picture book manuscripts than any other genre. Why? Because it seems so easy to do. Well, despite popular belief, writing books for small people who can’t even read is actually really hard. I can say this with confidence because I use to be one of those people who had this misconception.

Don’t think I am bothered by being asked this question.  I do not have a problem taking a look at someone’s manuscript. Heck! I was (and still am) someone who shares manuscripts to get feedback. Getting feedback is a vital part of my writing process. I believe in authors helping and supporting one another. However, more often than not, I’m also informed by the same individuals who have asked me this question that they wrote their book with very little time going into it.

Please, do not take this the wrong way. I am by no means tiring to diminish the work of anyone. I think it’s important to note that anything that can be written while taking the Cal-Trans home from SF to SJ isn’t a book, it’s the first draft. First drafts are great! Without them, you wouldn’t have a finished book! All authors start with first drafts. Heck, we go through several rounds of drafting before we have a completed manuscript. So there is nothing wrong with saying ‘Hey, I have this draft I wrote for a kids book. Would you mind taking a look?’ If I have the means and ability to help someone out, I will.

Speaking from personal experience, I think it’s essential to recognize how much goes into writing a book for children. Whether you are writing a book for solely family and friends to enjoy, or it is to be published for the entire world to see, know that it takes time.

Writing picture books looks deceptively simple—after all, how hard can it be to write a 32-page story of about 700 words? (Most picture books are between 500 and 1000 words). In fact, though, it is this very economy of words that challenges a writer most. The craft of writing picture books involves telling your story in as few of words as possible with the most compelling pictures to fill in the blanks.

Australian author Mem Fox sums it up perfectly:

“Writing a picture book is like writing ‘War and Peace’ in Haiku.”

You may be an excellent writer, an engaging blogger, maybe even an already accomplished author of adult fiction or nonfiction. But when it comes to writing for children, we have to adopt a new mindset and put ourselves in the shoes of those we want to write for. I am sorry to say, this cannot be accomplished from start to finish in under two hours.

Here is what you can do while you say, ride the train home from work. These points are just as vital as taking the time to draft that first manuscript. In all honesty, you should keep these points in mind before you start typing that next book.

How can we decide what type of children’s book to write? 

Most children’s books fall into one of these six categories:

•Board books

•Picture books

•Trade books

•Chapter books

•Middle-grade chapter books

•Young Adult books

Each category has subcategories. For example, Picture Books: Educational. The division is mainly based on the targeted age group, the average number of pages, the number of images, and the overall word count.

Really get to know your audience.

Writing for children brings a completely new set of challenges. Something an author for grown-up fiction and nonfiction doesn’t have to be concerned about.

In essence, the book will have to appeal to two completely separate and different groups of people:

1The children that consume the book, and

2The grown-ups that purchase and read the book with their kids.

The age of the main buyer of children’s books is between 30 and 44. Females make up more than 70% of these buyers.

A few ways you could really get to better know your audience are:

•Spend time with age groups you’re targeting

•Talk to parents and teachers

•Give a survey to women within the target age range from your own social circles

Remember, if your goal is to sell books, your book will have to please parents and teachers just as much as children.

To learn more about children’s books and their unique setup, you could:

•Study books that fall into your targeted age group. What is the general layout?

•What vocabulary is used?

• Visit a bookstore or library and browse through the kids’ section to get a feel for this genre.

What’s the point?

A story told to a specific child has its own value, but if you want to take it further, it needs to have a wider resonance. So why would any child who doesn’t know you want to listen to your story? The theme doesn’t have to be original – the same ones come up time and time again (a favorite toy, fear of the dark, love between child and parent, common childhood experiences) – but the way you treat it does. Make it uniquely yours.

Don’t forget the pictures!

A picture book is a collaboration between an author and an illustrator (unless you’re one of the few who has the skills to be both). The pictures play as large of role (if not more significant) as the words on the page. So think of the pictures as you write. Is there enough in your words for an illustrator to picture – changes of place, time? Is there too much detail? Think pictorially and cut out what you don’t need (even if it’s your favorite piece of writing; if it’s not serving the story, then it has to go!). Occasionally, I will draw some of the illustrations first if I am feeling stuck on the words to use. This has helped me to get the creative vibes flowing and the words to be penned.

In conclusion, writing for children is an act of love. Every children’s author that I know personally started writing for that same reason. Out of love. If you want to write a book for children, then do it! Embrace it! Just like with everything there will be challenges. Don’t let fear hold you back. Without trying something new, we will never know how much we truly love something.

Are you an author? What are some things that help you when you write your stories? Would you like to hear more tips on writing for children’s literature? Do you have questions that you would like have addressed? Drop a comment below; I would love to hear your thoughts!

 

Why Do You Write Children’s Books?

“What do you do for a living?” 

For me, this is an awkward question to answer. Why? It shouldn’t be. I am very proud that I am a professional photographer of 10 years and counting. I’m even more ecstatic to share that I am an award-winning published author and illustrator of children’s books. That’s just it, I feel awkward about this last part because I feel like I’m bragging, tooting my own horn saying: “look at me I write books!”

That is so NOT how I want to come across as. So, I usually lead with how I went to school for photography and I’ve been professionally shooting since 2008. Then I follow it up with and I’ve been a published author of children’s books since 2013. 

It has absolutely nothing to do with feeling embarrassed. I am very proud that I can write, illustrate, and produce quality literature for children that both they, their parents, and schools enjoy. It pays the bills, and most importantly, I am doing something for a living that I truly love! 

Whenever it is discovered that I write children’s books, I then wait for one of two questions to follow. 

“You write children’s books? I have a children’s book! Can I send it to you?”

“Why do you write kids books? Do you think you’ll try writing something else?” 

The first question listed I will address in next week’s  blog. I will also share some points that I keep in mind when I write. Perhaps they will be of benefit to any aspiring authors out there reading this blog. For this week, I will answer the second question: 

“Why do you write kids books? Do you plan to try writing something else?” 

I absolutely love writing books for children! It is a passion of mine. Honestly, does anyone ever ask a pediatrician if they plan to start treating adults? Not to say an author can’t cross genres, or that a pediatrician couldn’t start taking on “big people” as their clients. But simply put, no. I do not plan to try writing something else.

 I’m a giant kid at heart, writing books for kids allows me to embrace my inner silliness. It allows me to remember what it was like to grow up. 

It’s harder than it looks—but also more fun. Writing for children isn’t easy. Kids will abandon a story that doesn’t interest, enchant, delight, thrill, or terrify them. But when you can find a way into a young reader’s imagination through something as simple as words on paper, well, there’s nothing more satisfying. 

Did you know, that kids read more books than adults. A librarian recently told me that reading for pleasure in this country peaks in fifth grade. I believe it. Among my books, the ones that sell best are for readers between the ages of 8 and 12. According to a study by the Association of American Publishers, the largest area of industry growth in 2016 was in the children and young adult category.

I often think of this question: “Why do you write kids books?” Have you ever gardened? I love to garden. There is nothing like eating a home grown tomato fresh off the vine.  Seeing the results of your hard word are truly rewarding, wouldn’t you agree? Likewise, being privileged enough to work with countless schools and have a share in inspiring kids with my stories brings a level of bliss I cannot describe. 

Knowing that all of the hard work I am putting into my books is being met with eager anticipation causes me to bubble forth with joy. I must say, speaking from personal experience, children’s book authors get the best fan mail. I received a letter three week’s ago from a reader in Sacramento CA, who said my Lorenzo the Bear books were the perfect gift for her niece and nephew. “I just loved how it could teach them to be kind to one another without preaching it at them. But helped them see the importance of looking for the good in one another.” I’m getting misty-eyed. You will, too, when you receive mail like this. But these priceless letters make me feel like what I do matters. And isn’t that what we all want from our work?

What else makes me feel this way? When I get to personally meet up with a fan and their parent to talk about writing and what books they would like to see next in my series’s. I had this privilege last week. I was able to spend part of the afternoon with little P. and her father. We talked about writing  and the illustrating process. How she can have a share in helping me draft future stories. Oh man, the way her eyes lit up when I said that. The only thing that topped that was when I presented her with a copy of my newest Little Katie Book. Little Katie Explores the Coral Reefs. 

Not only did she hug the book, but she also told several people how she helped write this book. She and her father were BETA readers for me when I was working on this story. So for her, she did help write this book. I listened to her feedback, and made adjustments based on suggestions. 

I listed here just a few reasons why I enjoy being a children’s author. Why do you enjoy reading children’s books? Are you an author? Why do you enjoy the genere you write? Leave a comment below sharing your rights why. 

Next week, as promised, I will share a few tips I have found beneficial to writing picture books. Until next week, happy writing! 

The story that started it all, Lorenzo the Bear, where is he now?

The date was May 14th, 2010. What seemed like a simple idea, developed into something grander than I ever could have imagined. It was on this day that everything changed for me as an artist, what I had always known would now be a thing of the past. Wait! Let me back up, and explain what I mean.

A few months before May of 2010 (I cannot remember the exact month) my husband and I were visiting family. I was approached by my niece and nephew (who at the time was eight and nine years old) asking for me to draw pictures and the other asked for a story. Well, being lazy I figured I would kill two birds with one stone and write a picture book for them. After all, how hard could it be, right? Boy, was I wrong!

I didn’t have the first clue about how to even start the process of writing and illustrating a children’s story. I figured it couldn’t be that hard, there were thousands of books written for children so why couldn’t I do the same. Looking back, I laugh, shake my head, and want to facepalm the old me. I was fooling myself on how difficult this was going to be. Never the less, I persevered! I stared at a blank notebook for days. I managed to scribble a few images down that I thought would make cute characters, but that was about it.

I was facing a brick wall before I had even gotten underway. Having illustrated my whole life, including for other people why was this so hard? When I was working on other projects, and for other individuals, I knew what was expected of me. What colors to use, what the design should look like. I was given clear-cut directions of what images they wanted to be painted on their cars, how they wanted the pinstriping to be (I use to pinstripe cars). This was different. I had to come up with everything entirely by myself for my sweet angels whom I didn’t want to disappoint.

Feeling defeated, I turned on the TV and watched an episode of Everybody Loves Raymond. It was the one where Deborah writes a children’s book for their daughter Alley. My muse had struck.  I was no longer brain locked. After watching that episode I was reminded of this stuffed teddy bear I had as a child, his name was Lorenzo. My father gave him to me to help me overcome my fears of the dark. Just as Lorenzo had helped me, I knew that his mission would be to help out his fellow animals as well.

The original copy of The Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear Journey to Honeysuckle Mountain.

The original copy of The Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear Encounter at Jellyfish Cove.

In one night I penned my first book. On May 14th, 2010, Lorenzo the Bear was created. Lorenzo grew into something bigger than I ever dreamed, he took me places I didn’t even know were possible. Unbeknownst to me, I was heading down a path I never anticipated. It was always intended that my books remain as something private within the family, never for them to go public. Here I am. Eight years later, I was once traditionally published, and I currently have five titles out. I’ve enjoyed the privilege of spending the last five years working with seven different school districts (and Canada too!).  The humbling experience of winning an award, five-star reviews from professional review houses, and being interview on several different media outlets including local news coverage. I have learned so much on my writer road, each day I am learning and discovering new ways of doing things.

From Lorenzo,  flourished a new children’s series I had fantasized about for years. From him, branched Little Katie. Little Katie has become something all on her own. She has gone to the Moon and back, inspiring kids along the way reminding them that only their imagination inhibits them. These are all things I never even dared to dream about. The above mentioned were always outside of the realm of possibilities for me.

Recently, I have had many inquiries about a fourth Lorenzo the Bear book. I would like to take this moment to address this question. I adore my sweet little plucky bear. He holds a very precious place in my heart that can never be replaced by anything, or anyone. That being said, I am a firm believer in waiting for the stories to come to me. In the past, I’ve tried to force stories. They do not turn out well. Allowing them to evolve naturally on their own has always worked best for me.

Since the release of Little Katie Goes to the Moon, I have experienced overwhelming high demand from multiple school districts, educators, parents, and children for more Little Katie books. I receive e-mails from parents and their kids containing ideas for books. Teachers have requested of me to consider working on specific topics that their students struggle with. Imploring me to write something that can help them better explain this to their class.

So with a heavy heart, at this moment I do not have any more stories in the works of Lorenzo and his friends of Poppy Hills Place. I have a few notions that I mull over now and again, but they have not formulated into anything. In the meantime, I will continue to focus on Little Katie books as this is where my ideas are flowing. I am not limiting myself to just Little Katie books. I have some other inklings for stories that I hope will morph into something more. If I can produce more Lorenzo books, know that in a heartbeat I will.

This is not the end of Lorenzo the Bear, this is just a new chapter in my writing (see what I did there). Besides, what’s to say that in the future there won’t be a team up of Little Katie and Lorenzo. Now that, that is something to consider…