Day 3 of CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK - With Margot Finke

Day 3 of CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK - With Margot Finke

Seven Authors
from
Guardian Angel Publishing
( affectionately known as GAP )
 
 Are still Blogging their Hearts Out
for
Children's Book Week
May 7th - 13th, 2012

(See list of other GAP bloggers below)
.

 

GAP Authors also offer 2x FREE GIFTS

WIN

A cool tote bag of books by GAP authors
+
a FREE Picture Book Critique - by me!

 
Don't forget to sign up to WIN!
( entry form at the end of this post ) 

.

***************
.

So. . .  let's get to it, mates.

 My Topic for Today,
 Wed, May 9th

Classic Children’s Books – Both Old and New

In Memory of a giant in the world of writing and illustrating books for kids:
Scary, funny, weird -  just the way kids liked it.
Maurice Sendak
 Of course.  Who else?

Every writer of children’s books wants their book to become a classic.  They want today’s kids to love and reread their books until they are tattered and dog-eared with use – right? Then, it’s handed on down to the kid’s kids, and so on, through the generations.  A classic book has been around for decades.  It is read, reread, and then handed down.  If it goes out of print tears are shed, and frustration mounts. Second-hand bookstores are rifled in panicked searches for
THE BOOK!

So, what makes them classics?  There are millions of books out there, but few are considered classics.  Classics are the ones we actually remember: the cover, some of the words, the way we felt when it was read to us. What mystic magic did the author and illustrator call on to infuse their writing and images with such long term evocative feelings?

Perhaps they did one or more of the following:

• Dreamed up characters that all kids identify with.
• Wrote a plot and characters that parents didn’t mind rereading every night – like the fun of Dr Seuss for instance.
• Illustrations that drew you into the story, and glowed with life, fun or mystery.
•  Developed a matchless instinct for using the right art and words in the right order.
• Were themselves still kids at heart 
  
• Loved weaving stories, and sprinkling characters with their own brand
  of fairy dust.
• They had fantastic imaginations, PLUS the know-how to write it all downin unforgettable paragraphs, pages and verses.
• Or simply wrote and drew what they wanted to have read to them when  they were small, or scared, or in need of comfort.

Who knows the mixture of alchemy and magic that helps someone concoct a classic story?  It simply happens over time.  The right tale, told with the right words, art and sentiments, printed with care, and bound with love.

This Video has me reading the beginning of my latest book
"Taconi and Claude Double Trouble." I chat about the
Aussie outback setting for this historical adventure,
and that I grew up in Australia. 
I hope it also becomes
a classic.

You can find wonderful classic book titles on PINTEREST:
 http://pinterest.com/margotfinke/hook-kids-on-reading/   on my “HOOK KIDS on Reading” space, or on many other Pinterest pages.  OR - begin a Pinterest “classics” page of your own.

Here are a few of my all time favorite classic children's books:
Frog and Toad (any of them)
Roald Dahl – his all rock!
Willy the Wimp - Anthony Browne
Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carrol
Winnie the Pooh
Beatrix Potter collection
Jungle Book, Ruyard Kipling - older kids.
The Graveyard Book, Neil Gaimen - if old enough.
The Gruffalo, Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler
Where The Wild Things Are, Maurice Sendek
Peter Pan, J M Barrie
Mother Goose - Rosemary Wells
The Dancing Tiger, Malanchy Doyle
 But Not The Hippopotamus
Time for bed by Mem Fox
Wow! Said the owl by Tim Hopgood
Where the Sidewalk Ends
A Pizza the Size of the Sun
The Little Red Hen by Byron Barton
 Henry and Mudge (all)
Oh the Place You'll Go
Go Dog Go – great for beginning readers.
Mouse Mess by Linnea Riley
The Fox and the Hen by Eric Battut
No by Claudia Rueda
Is your mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino 

Read these and other classic books.  Imbue your conscious and unconscious mind with the  words, phrases, plots and characters that make up a classic book.  Let them marinate, and enrich your writing heart and soul. It takes time, experience and talent to produce a fine wine.  It also takes time, talent and experience to give birth to a classic book. But trust me, mates, the pain of the contractions are worth it!

And do please add YOUR favorites to the comments below.

======================== 

 

NOW .

Surf on over to some of the other
Guardian Angel Bloggers
and enjoy their Children's Book Week posts.

Mayra Calvani - www.mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com

Margo Dill - http://margodill.com/blog/
Margot Finke - http://hookkidsonreading.blogspot.com
Donna McDine - www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com
Nancy Stewart - www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com
Kai Strand - http://kaistrand.blogspot.com
Nicole Weaver - http://mysisterismybestfriend.blogspot.com

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway  
Disclaimer:

Entry during the Children's Book Week celebration by Guardian Angel Publishing does not guarantee winning the FREE tote bag of Guardian Angel Publishing books, or the FREE picture book manuscript critique by Margot Finke. Winner of the FREE picture book manuscript critique by Margot Finke shall not hold Ms. Finke liable in publication success of submitted picture book manuscript.

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CLICK LOGO
to see books.

  
CLICK to Download
Taconi and Claude's 21st Century Adventure
a FREE, fun, kid's (pdf) book

 ===============================

*Books for Kids – Manuscript Critiques
http://www.margotfnke.com
*Virtual School Visits – SKYPE makes it happen
http://virtualschoolvisits.blogspot.com/

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Day 2 of CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK - With Margot Finke

Day 2 of CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK - With Margot Finke

Seven Guardian Angel Publishing Authors
( affectionately known as GAP )
 
Are individually Blogging ALL 7 days of 
Children's Book Week
Beginning May 7th - 13th, 2012

(See list of other GAP bloggers below).

We are BLOGGING about our passion:
READING, WRITING, PUBLISHING or PROMOTING etc

Books for Children

 

GAP authors also offer 2x FREE GIFTS
you can WIN
( entry form at the end of this post )  

A cool tote bag of books by GAP authors
+
a FREE Picture Book Critique - by me!

  Don't forget to sign up to WIN!

.

***************
.

So. . .  let's get to it, mates.

 My Topic for Today,
 Tuesday, May 8th

A Professional Critique – What to Expect

(On loan from my Musings Column)

This is a Video of me chatting about my
Manuscript Critique Service and what I offer

Your critique group has given your story a big thumbs-up. You have rewritten, tweaked and reworked every chapter. Your writing is as tight as a miser’s money clip, your plot is fast paced, and your characters are richly written. Yet you suspect the time has come for your "baby" (manuscript) to receive a Professional Critique. Why so? Because you have just received your fourth rejection letter, and you begin to wonder: is the darn thing really as good as you thought? Your confidence as a writer is now lower than President Bush’s current ratings. A professional is indicated. But how do you go about it? Who do you choose? Where do you go to find reliable professional help at a fee you can afford?
.

Where to Find a Good Critiquer:Go where children’s writers hang out – writing conferences, colleges, on-line writing lists and chat rooms. Ask fellow writers if they can recommend someone. Professional Critique persons often include their editing or critique services in their e-mail signature.

If you're an SCBW-I member, you can find critiquers in the list of books doctors and manuscript coaches that the organization publishes. Everyone listed is reputable and experienced in the children's book field.
.

Are They Reputable?No one wants to pay good money for less than the best. If a person is recommended to you, by someone you know and trust, then they are probably honest and skilled critiquers. On the other hand, if you Google "Manuscript Critique Services" and find several names that fit the bill, you had better check them out FAST. Read their websites carefully. Ask for references from satisfied clients. What are their qualifications? Are their fees up in the stratosphere? How long will your critique take? Do they promise more than is reasonable? Find out exactly what a critique from them entails. Snippy, or less than forthcoming replies to any of these questions means you RUN!
.

Choose the Right Critique Person for You:

A person skilled in advising YA writers on how to strengthen their plots, and create great tension, might not necessarily be good at helping a writer of picture books pare down their pages. There are basic skills that all critiquers need, but the differences between what it takes to help craft a great YA, or an appealing PB, are vast. If you want a professional opinion on your midgrade novel, find someone who specializes in critiquing mid-grades. The same goes for PBs, YA’s, and anything in-between. It is true that certain critiquers work with various age groups: just make sure they are knowledgeable about the age you write for.

Rhyming picture books need expert help. Editors LOVE rhyming stories: they just hate the 99 out of 100 really terrible ones that land on their desks.  That meter must be smooth and repeated in every verse.  The rhyming words need to fit the story and move it along.  Oh, and don’t forget a terrific story as well.  Not easy, I know.  So make sure the person you choose to help you knows a thing or two about the BIG 3 of rhyming stories.

* NOTE: If you write MG or YA books, asking for a complete critique might mean taking out a second mortgage. Don’t laugh! A huge amount of time and effort is involved in thoroughly working through one of these books. This is especially true if the writer needs help in many areas. I suggest asking for a critique of your first few chapters. Most professionals want their money up-front. This can be done for a reasonable fee, and if you are smart, you can use what you learned from the critique of those early chapters throughout the rest of your book. And if money is tight (or not there at all), join one of the many critique groups around. Your writing will benefit from the feedback of more advanced or published writers. A good critique group mentors its members.
.

What to Expect from a Critique:

Expect the unexpected! A good critique looks under the surface, scanning your manuscript with a fresh eye, and without any preconceived notions. Like anyone else, be it an editor or a prospective book purchaser, most critiquers are hoping for a good read. The first impression a critiquer has of your chapters is often the same first impression that forced those editors to send you a rejection. Unlike publishing editors, who waste no time on writing that is sloppy, unfocused or weak, you have paid your critique person to tell you the error of your writing ways. However, telling you a paragraph needs tightening is not enough.
.

Examples of What to Expect from a Good Critique:

• Paragraph or chapter needs tightening - an example of what this means.
• Verbs are weak—shows a way of using more powerful and active verbs.
• Plot lacks focus—presents a focused alternative for the writer to consider.
• Picture book is too wordy—Gives examples of how and where to prune.
• Dialogue is not age appropriate—shows example that is right for the age.
• Where paragraphs, pages or chapters are great—praise for good writing.
• If the overall concept and writing is weak—suggestions re writing classes, reading books, and joining a critique group. Encourages the client to master the craft of writing.
• A summary that pinpoints areas that need strengthening etc, and mentions what they feel works just fine as is—Encourages you to think out of the box: to turn your chapters or paragraphs upside-down, or inside out, until you get them exactly right. Reinforces the notion that re-writing is not a dirty word! Comments, suggestions and examples that help you identify problem areas more clearly, write tighter, and focus on what is important to the plot. Support, honesty and helpful examples are the cornerstones of a good critique.

What NOT to Expect:

• Lots of lavish praise, or pussyfooting around, trying to avoid your tender ego—an honest evaluation might upset you for a day or two, but think about it before you blow a gasket. RE-EVALUATE! Those rejection slips could mean the critiquer was right.

• The Critique from Hell—many put-downs, no helpful examples, not one word of praise, and no summary – next time, you’ll do deep research on a critique person before you pay your money – right?

What You Shouldn't Do:

• Take it personally—A critique is simply an educated opinion. Consider and evaluate. Put your MS aside for a while, and then reread it with the critiquer’s comments in mind. Some of those suggestions might work better than you thought.
• Bug your Critique Person about it before the due-back date—A ticked-off critiquer is not a person you want looking at your manuscript!
• Send an e-mail while you’re still upset—Trust me, you will regret it! No matter that the advice was the last thing you wanted to read: acknowledge receipt of your critique ASAP. Then, take the time to evaluate carefully, before you e-mail her with a barrage of questions.

Summary:

Never allow yourself to become discouraged—being bummed out by a critique that shatters your writing illusions is natural. Have a good cry, take a bubble bath, beat up the punching bag: but whatever you do, don’t stop writing.

Tweak, rework, rewrite! Make that book, stronger, more dynamic, a real winner. Do it for yourself. Do it just to SHOW that  !@#$% critiquer.  But - DO IT!

======================== 

 

NOW .

Surf on over to some of the other Guardian Angel Bloggers
and enjoy their Children's Book Week posts. 

.

Mayra Calvani - www.mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com

Margo Dill - http://margodill.com/blog/
Margot Finke - http://hookkidsonreading.blogspot.com
Donna McDine - www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com
Nancy Stewart - www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com
Kai Strand - http://kaistrand.blogspot.com
Nicole Weaver - http://mysisterismybestfriend.blogspot.com

 

  a Rafflecopter giveaway  
Disclaimer:

Entry during the Children's Book Week celebration by Guardian Angel Publishing does not guarantee winning the FREE tote bag of Guardian Angel Publishing books, or the FREE picture book manuscript critique by Margot Finke. Winner of the FREE picture book manuscript critique by Margot Finke shall not hold Ms. Finke liable in publication success of submitted picture book manuscript.

===============================


*Books for Kids – Manuscript Critiques
http://www.margotfnke.com
*Virtual School Visits – SKYPE makes it happen
http://virtualschoolvisits.blogspot.com/

CLICK to Download
this fun FREE kid's book

====================================

CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK - With GAP Author Margot Finke

I am one of the Guardian Angel Publishing Authors
( affectionately known as GAP )

We are Blogging ALL 7 days of 
Children's Book Week
(See list of other GAP bloggers below)

from
May 7th - 13th, 2012 

Every day this week,  

7x GAP authors will BLOG about their passion:
READING, WRITING, PUBLISHING or PROMOTING etc

Books for Children

 

GAP authors also offer 2x FREE GIFTS
you can WIN
( entry form at the end of this post )  

A cool tote bag of books by GAP authors
+
a FREE Picture Book Critique - by me!

 

***************

So. . .  let's get to it, mates. 

 My Topic for
 Monday May 7th

Virtual School Visits – Skype Makes it Happen!
 A wake up call for authors, teachers and librarians. 

Video of me chatting about Virtual School Visits.

Come on folks, this is the 21st century: the age of awesome technology.  SKYPE and a webcam are tools authors can use to visit far flung schools, that in the past never got the whiff of an author visit.  

  

Teacher and Librarian Benefits:

Whether you wrangle a grade school, middle or high school class, there are REAL  LIVE authors out there who would be thrilled to offer your class a VIRTUAL VISIT.  Just sign up for a FREE Skype account, and make sure the webcam is working.

Kids today are savvy techie users.  And, your reluctant readers and bored students perk up no end when a published author visits FOR REAL.  Your virtual author will chat about the hard work and  thrill of writing their books,  problems getting them published, and how they learned to promote the hard way.  Self published authors will highlight the highs, lows, and frustrations of getting their first book on the bookstore shelves - or into Kindle or iPhone etc.  Disaster tales abound.  They will read from their latest book, happily answer student questions - and ask a few of their own!  The icing on your Virtual Visit is when the author reads a story they have written to your class - and then answers questions about it.

Most authors are more than willing to fit in with what  you, the teacher, needs from them - be it a short chat about what makes a great story, how to HOOK readers early,  writing in rhyme, or even judge a class writing competition.  Negotiate what you want from your virtual author, and they will set up their visit to fit your class needs.

Author Benefits: 

WOW! I could go of for pages. Virtual school visits are easy.  No long trips, or overnights in mangy hotels.  You do it in your own comfort zone. Wear slippers: no one will see them!  Just make sure your hair, lipstick and smile get an "A" plus from kids in the next state, or in a country on the other side of the globe.

The secret is to prepare ahead.  Chat or e-mail with the teacher or librarian, and get a clear idea of what they expect from you.   Make notes, have your props handy, and if you boo-boo, just laugh it off and go right on.  And remember, you can e-mail the teacher with file attachments that contain a short lesson on writing,  lists of great books the class might enjoy,  including yours, and any facts or details that need to be read, as well as mentioned on screen.  Send coloring sheets for younger classes.  The teacher can make copies on the spot.  Attach a nicely designed page that kids can take home to their parents.  Show book covers, links to where they can be purchased, and a short bio about yourself. Add links to your website and your e-mail address.  Parents like to be able to see your books, know something about you, and even e-mail you if they feel like it.  This page can be copied by the teacher and sent home to parents.

Think of questions to ask the class ahead of time, and be ready for the doozies they will ask you.  One child asked me if my red hair was real.  This was kinda tricky to answer, because I AM a natural red-head, but time snuck in some gray, so I "helped" keep it red. Admitting this was not fun, but the kid looked happy with my answer, and I was glad I fessed up. 

Ask them what they like to write, what their favorite books are, and if they enjoy reading.  Your enthusiasm for reading and writing will rub off on the class.  I tell kids that reading is a Magic Carpet Ride to adventure, fun and knowledge - all from the safety of your own room.

And what does all this cost the school?  Very little thank goodness.  With so many school districts today in desperate need of money for the bare bare teaching necessities, a Virtual School Visit can be negotiated to whatever is agreeable for the author and the school.  I do suggest somewhere between $25 and $100, depending on the number of classes visited, and the time the author spends in each class, and the school budget.

Finally:

Here are some resources that have proved helpful to me.

*The Edutopia newsletter:  http://www.edutopia.org/files/existing/edutopianews.html   

*On Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/edutopia  

* SKYPE - the Big Blog:  http://blogs.skype.com/en/20/05/skype_wins_three_webby_awards.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ShareSkypeEn+%28Big+Blog%29

Language Journey:   http://languagejourneys.blogspot.com/2012/04/global-mystery-skype-challenge.html

*Put the word Skype into a Google search, and all sorts of pages of help and interest pop up. 

NOW
Surf on over to some of the other Guardian Angel Bloggers
and enjoy their Children's Book Week posts.

Mayra Calvani - www.mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com

Margo Dill - http://margodill.com/blog/ 
Margot Finke - http://hookkidsonreading.blogspot.com
Donna McDine - www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com
Nancy Stewart - www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com
Kai Strand - http://kaistrand.blogspot.com 
Nicole Weaver - http://mysisterismybestfriend.blogspot.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer:

Entry during the Children's Book Week celebration by Guardian Angel Publishing does not guarantee winning the FREE tote bag of Guardian Angel Publishing books, or the FREE picture book manuscript critique by Margot Finke. Winner of the FREE picture book manuscript critique by Margot Finke shall not hold Ms. Finke liable in publication success of submitted picture book manuscript.

===============================


*Books for Kids – Manuscript Critiques
http://www.margotfnke.com 
*Virtual School Visits – SKYPE makes it happen  
http://virtualschoolvisits.blogspot.com/

CLICK to Download
this fun FREE kid's book

================================= 

CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK - a Prequel.

Woo Hoo

Guardian Angel Publishing Authors
Will blog the 7 days of  Children's Book Week

May 7th - 13th, 2012 

as advertised on
BOOK WEEK ONLINE
http://www.bookweekonline.com/local.

A selection of Guardian Angel Publishing authors
will blog about all aspects of writing books for children -
Beginning with that first idea . . .
to HOT off the press!

Here is the line up of talent:

Mayra Calvani - www.mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com

Margo Dill - http://margodill.com/blog/ 
Margot Finke - http://hookkidsonreading.blogspot.com
Donna McDine - www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com
Nancy Stewart - www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com
Kai Strand - http://kaistrand.blogspot.com 
Nicole Weaver - http://mysisterismybestfriend.blogspot.com

  

I will be posting daily on

"HOOK Kids on Reading." 

My daily topics will be as follows: 

 

Monday -  Virtual School Visits – Skype Makes it Happen

Tuesday - A Professional Critique – What to Expect

Wednesday  -  Classic Children’s Books – Both Old and New

Thursday - What Beginning Writers Need to Know

Friday  - Who Mentors Today’s Writes.

Saturday  - Blatant Promotion!  Be Warned

Sunday - Children’s Book Week Wrap UP – Unabridged Thoughts.

All you have to do is read our posts . . .  and ENJOY!

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BOOKS for KIDS  -  Manuscript Critiques

http://www.margotfinke.com 
https://www.facebook.com/margot.finke
https://pinterest.com/margotfinke/

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