A Passion For Writing

The Tortoise

itchtowrite — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:00:36 +0000

Sometimes writing can seem like such a long process. It is easy to get distracted from your goal, and get sidetracked by other things that promise a quicker payout. I tend to get distracted from my writing easily, probably because I have such a busy, crazy life, like most people. It is hard to stay focused on the long-term goal. Today in the rare two hours I had to myself I read a story from Kristi Holl’s book Writers First Aid-Getting Organized, Getting Inspired, and Sticking to It, and I wanted to share part of it with you. I do have to give you a bit of background on it first: she begins by talking about a bamboo stalk and when you plant the tiny shoot it does not grow much even though you water it diligently, and then after five years you can expect it to grow as much as 80 feet. So after telling you that here is the part of the book I wanted to share with you. “The tortoise approach is often ultimately the most successful, but it can take so lo-o-o-ong to succeed that discouragement can set in. Picture again that Chinese bamboo tree. It is sending roots down for years before its sudden rapid upward growth. If you are writing and studying diligently, you are putting down a writer’s roots. It’s critical time, with little to show others for your efforts. But if you look closely, you can see progress. You may not be making many sales yet, but there is progress in your writing skills, your marketing skills, your networking. You are building a solid base that will support future growth. It will be comfortable, steady growth too; it will add to your life rather than disrupt it. As one Chinese proverb says, “Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still.”

Taking things slowly is okay. Building a good writing base for your work is what you need to succeed in the long run. There are some people who have overnight success, but that is the exception, not the norm. Enjoy where you are right now in your writing career, and be excited about the future. You will get there!

You can find more about Kristi Holl at her blog or at her website, and I will add links to my sidebar as well. A little more about Kristi taken from her site: Kristi Holl is an award-winning author of 34 books for children, one nonfiction book for writers, and over 150 stories and articles for children and adults, as well as conference speaker and web editor. Her stories and articles have appeared in Jack and Jill, Child Life, Hi-Call, Your Life & Health, Touch, The Writer, Children’s Writer, and the SCBWI Bulletin, among others. She also wrote a mystery column and self-coaching column for the magazine Once Upon a Time.

Keep writing every day! Make it a habit.

Have a great week

Jodi~

Sneaking away….

itchtowrite — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:06:50 +0000

I am going to make this quick as I only have limited time on my hands. I have just realized that I may have mastered the art of sneaking away from a sleeping baby! This takes an immense amount of skill and strength, if you don’t know why, well then you have never tried sneaking away from a sleeping baby. Example: Baby is awake, so you lay next to them. You close your eyes to encourage them to close their eyes as well. You lay absolutely still awaiting the moment when the baby’s eyes close. The little hand twitches and you know it is then possibly safe for you to make your first move. You start to slowly put one foot towards the ground but the darn bed squeaks and the baby’s eyes open…hold that leg, don’t let the bed squeak anymore. (See this is where the strength comes in!) Once the eyes close again you proceed, moving each limb slowly and steadily like you are doing tai chi. You are now in standing position but you just stare at the little one for a moment to ensure they don’t wake again. Then you creep slowly, like a burglar in the old movies you know up on your toes, praying the whole way that you don’t hit that one creak in the floor. Once you reach the door frame you are home free. You do a silent cheer and then move on!

And take a guess at why I was doing all of this sneaking? Of course to get a little writing time to myself!

Enjoy your day!

Jodi

Podcasts can inspire you~

itchtowrite — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:27:42 +0000

It is amazing that you can really find inspiration for your next book just about anywhere you look.
I work the weekends, 3- 14 hour shifts (yes it feels as long as it sounds!) and I get a good chance to catch up on my podcasts while I am there (luckily we can listen to the ipod). I search for podcasts about writing, but have not come across to many. If you know of any please share them in your comments I would love to check them out. Anyway, sometimes in the afternoons I listen to a podcast called “Among Women” by Pat Gohn. It is a faith sharing podcast, so it has a lot to do with the Catholic faith. In the beginning of the podcast she usually talks about a saint and about that saints life. I love this, and take notes diligently because I hope to write some saint books at some point. The second part of each podcast is an interview with someone from the community. They share their story or talk about their book or just share life lessons. It is very interesting and relaxing to listen to.

While listening this last weekend I was inspired to write my next children’s book because of one of the interviews that was taking place. I will have to look back to see who it was with (sorry it is slipping my mind), but they were speaking briefly about how there are so many distractions in the world that take us away from focusing on Jesus.

“Very true” I thought

And so the idea was born, a little book called “I can’t hear you Lord” by me! It is just in the rough draft stage, but I am excited about it. I have it all written out, and so the polishing will begin! I love that part. I hope to get it finished within the next week or so….. we will see. Then off to publishers it will go!

This will be my first book for the 12 x 12 challenge held by Julie Hedlund over at writeupmylife.com. If you are at all interested in writing and need a little push in the right direction then check out this challenge. It will be worth it!

Last thing that I ask is for any prayers or good vibes. I have 3 things out to publishers right now. One Catholic book that I sent on to Liguori publishing, a bee article that has been sent to Highlights for children, and then two poems that are entered in a writing contest being held by the Institute of Children’s literature. I know I have to set myself up for rejection, but any help would be greatly appreciated!

Have a great weekend everyone, and don’t forget to keep your eyes and ears open for inspiration!!

JODI

New Challenge 12 x 12 in 2012

itchtowrite — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 22:47:32 +0000

I love a challenge, and sometimes I work better when I am under a challenge! Well there is a new challenge for 2012 and it is called 12 x 12 in 2012. So what does that mean? It means completing 12 manuscripts in 12 months in the year of 2012. It is a big long challenge but I am up for it. If you are interested, the challenge is being hosted by Julie Hedlund on the site writeupmylife.com (this link will take you right to the challenge). I will add this site as one of my favorite links as well so you can find it easily. This challenge has a dedicated Facebook group you can join and you can follow the blog as well. Julie states in the challenge description that she will host several interesting guest posts by several people. If you are up for a new challenge this year to get going on your writing then check it out. I would love for you to join us this year.

Have a great week

Jodi

When Charlie McButton Lost Power – Review

itchtowrite — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 03:54:14 +0000

We all love a book that relates closely to our own lives. We find humor in reading about those things, and laugh out loud because what we are reading is so true to our own experience.
I recently read a book to my children that I immensely enjoyed. The LOL factor hit a high as I sat on our couch reading to two little ones snuggled in beside me and a baby on my lap. Honestly I think I was laughing more than they were but only because I could completely relate.
So the book I am talking about is called “When Charlie McButton Lost Power”, by Suzanne Collins. This book was hilarious and so true to our “plugged in” society. The story begins with Charlie on his computer, blood-shot eyes. . . when the power goes out. The illustrations clearly show his distress as he races for a solution to his lack of electronics. I don’t want to give it away but in his hunt for fun from his electronics he comes together with his little sister Isabel. A day of creativity ensues full of tents, and make-believe. So what happens when the power is restored?!? Check out the book to find out.
I have included some photos of the book below so you can see how dynamic the illustrations by Mike Lester are. I just can’t say enough about this book, I loved it.

P.S. One funny side note about this story is that I also have children named Charlie and Isabel. How ironic!

Have a wonderful week!

Jodi

I am a WINNER!! PiBoIdMo is over again…..

itchtowrite — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:29:36 +0000

Well the end of November came and went and that means the end of PiBoIdMo. It is kind of sad actually. I always look forward to the challenge that it brings. Even though I tell myself I am going to keep up on it and find one idea a day, time slips away from me and I don’t do it. I am so thankful that Tara Lazar hosts PiBoIdMo every year because it gets the ball rolling, it gets me started down the right path. This year she added a facebook page which was totally AWESOME!!!! It was so nice to be able to visit with other people online about something I am so passionate about. It was/is a great place to ask questions and get real answers from people who have already been successful in the children’s book business.

I won’t lie some days I did not write any ideas down because my day was so extremely hectic and out of control, but that does not mean they weren’t floating around in my head. I have blogged about this before, but having your notebook handy at all times is key… I need to get better about using my ipod for my ideas because I do usually have that with me. In the end I did get 30 ideas set on paper. Only a couple have made it past just an idea, but for me that is success.

I am currently working on eliminating things in my life that are not necessary, to make room for those things I need to do everyday so that I don’t lose myself, and one of those things is writing. Sometimes this cleaning and eliminating means letting people down, and saying no but it has to be done. I find that when I don’t find time for my writing I become a somewhat depressed person. Writing for me ignites my spirit, my creativity and the core of who I am. Even if I am never published feeling the passion of writing is enough for me!

So here is my badge… I am a winner of PiBoIdMo…. I made it…. I am successful!

Jodi

Should I find an Agent?

itchtowrite — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 20:23:19 +0000

So one of the questions I have been grappling with lately is whether or not to go out and search for an agent? I think this something every writer probably goes through at some point.

I was making cinnamon rolls for my family today when I was thinking of this very subject. I remembered the last time I wanted to make cinnamon rolls I did not have any yeast. Now if I would have made the cinnamon rolls without the yeast would they have turned out. Well maybe they would have turned out the something like cinnamon rolls, but it would not be quite the same experience when you ate them.

I think the same is true when writing a children’s book when thinking about having an agent or not. If you do not have an agent it would be like missing the yeast. You would still get the children’s book but the experience would not be the same. You would be left to figure everything out on your own compared to having someone in your corner who knows the ins and outs of the industry and can help you get the job done. I think of an agent like the yeast they help you “rise to the occasion.” (that was a good one!) The agent helps you get noticed by the right people.

I look at it this way. My passion is writing and that is what I do best. My passion is not selling books and figuring out deals with book publishers, so it would be better left to a professional! Why wouldn’t you want someone in your corner helping you reach your goals.
So my conclusion is “yes” you should get an agent. Now the real question is how do you find one. Maybe I will cover that in another post after I figure it out myself.

Until then, have a great week, and happy writing!

JODI~

Picture Book Idea Month

itchtowrite — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:54:56 +0000

Yipee! Hooray! Picture Book Idea Month is finally here! If you are interested in creative children’s writing at all then check out Picture Book Idea Month on Tara Lazar’s site. I have mentioned it here before and it is just so great! She will have interviews from authors, prize giveaways, and tons more. If you are not currently writing but are interested in it, then the PiBoIdMo (picture book idea month) might be just the thing to get you started on the right path. It is wonderful when a bunch of like minded people get together for the same reason. I love it!

Have fun and keep writing!!!

Jodi

Research

itchtowrite — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 20:43:09 +0000

Ok this may seem strange to some readers but I just have to say it. I LOVE research! Research is just one of those things I get excited about. I can’t wait to get started on doing research for a book I am going to write, or a character I am going to develop. I love cracking open an old book and smelling its dusty pages to find that one nugget of pertinent information, or scouring the internet reading details others have put out there to share and bookmarking them for later! I can’t wait to sit down on a bench and people watch (I know this sounds strange) to get all of the details that will make up my next character, facial expressions, smells, sounds. I love thinking creatively, and using all of those little facts I have come across to make a story others will enjoy!

Don’t forget your notebook!

P.S. For all of you Children’s writers out there, PiBoIdMo(Picture Book Idea Month) starts soon. You can sign up on Tara Lazar’s site. She has a lot of great stuff lined up so check it out!

Have a great weekend!

Jodi

Write an Article

itchtowrite — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 18:24:31 +0000

I was driving home from taking my son to the dentist today and we ended up behind this truck that had the sign “Critter Gitter” on the side of it. Hanging from the back of the truck off of a ladder were two bats, that at first I thought were real. Right away I knew exactly what this business was all about! I am really glad I’ve never had to call him, but I will remember who to call if I ever do need a critter getting service.

Seeing this truck on the road reminded me of article writing! When writing an article, no matter what the subject might be, you have to find the strange or different subject matter contained in your topic. People don’t want to hear the same story over and over again about any particular subject, and Publishers won’t publish the same boring information either. You have to dig deep, and ask the questions why, where, and what? Get specific when choosing your subject, don’t just choose the topic of bats, go deeper, how do bats sleep? Publishers are interested in a point of view that has not been heard before.

So where do you start? Start by asking yourself some questions. What are you curious about? What were your favorite things as a child? What are you interested in now? It is important to write about what you are interested in or what you know because it will hold your attention when researching and writing your piece, and you may know something about that subject that others don’t. Once you find a broad subject you are interested in start your research. When researching your topic, look for the interesting little facts about your topic. Learn all you can about your subject matter so you can be confident in your writing. For me, research is great fun! I love finding out new things about whatever it is I am writing about. I love looking at books on the same subject matter and searching out that one strange or unusual fact that is not talked about. I then start building my article. For me research is a like a hunt, a place of discovery where I can be curious and ask all of those strange questions and find out the answers. It is best to build your article around the unusual angle or fact you have found on your subject. When people read your article you want them to say “Wow, I never knew that about bats!”, or whatever your subject matter may be.

Articles can be a great way to get your foot in the door with publishing. If your ultimate goal is to write a children’s story, you may want to start with articles. Most publishers would like to see that you have already been published in the past before publishing your book.

I challenge you to write one article this week on a subject matter that you love!

~Make it a great week~
Jodi