Big Blue Writer - Anita Miettunen -- Plus a PRIZE!

Smart Note: Start Loose Drawings - Page 19

I'm so happy that Anita Miettunen can be on my blog today! It's always exciting when I get to interview a friend that's also in my SCBWI chapter. I was invited by Anita to an event at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum in 2014. Anita told the tale of "Big Blue Forever" during the event and it was fantastic! I admire Anita for all the research and work that she put into this book.

Check the end of this post for a PRIZE!
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For Smart Dummies you can create a non-fiction dummy. This dummy can be illustrated or it can be from photographs!
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Dani: What was it that led you to write "Big Blue Forever?”

Anita: I first met Big Blue’s skeleton in 2013 as a volunteer at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum at the University of BC. I was awestruck! Her size was mesmerizing and I became curious about her story: where did she come from, why did she die, and how did she come to be in the museum? As I learned more, I felt children would love to hear her story and a book would help make that connection. I have a science background and interest in biodiversity along with a passion for writing so it felt natural to write this book, which eventually came out in 2017.

Dani: How much research was put into your book?

Anita: Lots! The more I developed the story, the more research I did. For instance, I realized that to capture the essence of what it was like to dig up the skeleton (it had been buried for over 20 years) and reconstruct it, I needed to interview people directly involved. This provided me with insights I wouldn’t have otherwise had such as what a buried whale smelled like! I also connected with a few international whale researchers, searched for various media accounts of the blue whale project, read scientific literature and reports, and tracked down individuals who had either taken photos of the beached whale or who were in the photos. I was fortunate to be able to review the museum’s photo archives and also took my own photos of the skeleton in the museum. A lot of people supported my research efforts through their interest and kindness.


Dani: What's one thing you'd like to learn (or learn to do)?

Anita: I'm always interested in exploring new illustration and photography techniques. Right now, I’d like to improve my narrative skills in cartooning.


Dani: Where was your favorite vacation?

Anita: In August 2017, I spent an incredible 17 days in Rwanda with three friends. We organized this adventure with a guide and it included some hiking, camping, kayaking and biking. A friend who had visited Rwanda for work inspired me to go when she mentioned how vibrant the country was through its post-genocide rebuilding efforts. She was right. Despite the severe trauma of the past, there was an air of hope, positivity, and amazing entrepreneurial spirit amongst the people we met that touched me deeply. The basic infrastructure was modern, it felt safe, and we were able to truly get off the beaten track to see a part of the world that’s just opening up to eco-tourism. I would love to return.


Dani: Why are picture books important to you? 

Anita: I love both text and visual communication. The magic that results from combining these two elements in picture books is the best of both worlds. Picture books are accessible on different levels to all ages and backgrounds. Depending on the picture book, they can be entertaining, fun, educational, and of course deeply enjoyable for their artwork (or photos). They can also be a powerful way to open up discussions on topics that may be difficult to otherwise access. The options are endless.


Dani: What's next for you on your writing journey?

Anita: I have various picture book manuscripts I need to dust off and find the time (and courage) to keep on submitting until they find a home. I also have lots of ideas for more books but these are mostly on hold; my main goal this year is to complete my draft of a young adult novel I'm writing as part of my Masters thesis in children’s writing at the University of British Columbia. This is an entirely new writing experience for me but I’m excited about my project.

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Follow Anita


Webpage: http://www.anitamiettunen.com/books/


Facebook: anitamiettunenauthor


Twitter: @anitamiettunen

Big Blue Forever: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/big-blue-forever-anita-miettunen/1123336141?ean=9780889955424

PRIZE!

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Dani Duck: A portfolio website critique (or help setting up your online portfolio),

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hedgehog Queen Emily Wayne and a PRIZE!

Smart Note: Adj: Finish Dummy Drawings -- Page 19

Emily Wane is simply amazing. I'm not sure if it's the hedgehogs or her artwork that makes her so amazing (the hedgehogs give her the edge either way). I love all the adorable artwork that Emily does. I have the sneaking suspicion I met Emily first on #kidlitart chat. It's hard to say, but I do know that her and her hedgehog love have left quite the impression.

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What makes a successful illustration? If you asked ten different people, I imagine you’d get ten different answers. And they would certainly all be valid, because everyone places importance on different aspects – but for me those aspects are the two E’s of Expression and Emotion. When you boil an illustration down to its essence, you’re going to strip away the setting, the props, the clothing – and focus in on your character; what are they thinking, and what are they feeling? A beautiful scene, skillfully rendered – while pleasing to look at, will still fall flat without emotion. But a standalone character with a spot-on expression will succeed, even on a stark white background in the absence of any setting at all.

Let’s start with Expression. Your character’s expression says a lot about who they are. What they’re thinking and feeling, and how they’re reacting to what’s happening around them. This doesn’t have to be complicated at all. Sometimes even the simplest things can convey the most. Take Jon Klassen for example; he does so much with so little. Most of his characters don’t even have other facial features, but with just the slightest change in his eyes, he can make a complete shift in the character’s expression A bit wider, a bit narrower, moving the pupils from right to left or top to bottom – it really doesn’t take much, but it’s crucial to get that little bit right.

Like a lot of other artists, I use myself as reference most often. If I need to get an expression right I might make faces in the mirror, or take a picture to study from. But even without looking at a reference, I can get an awful lot of what I need by feeling it. Need to make a character skeptical? Make that expression yourself, and really feel what’s happening in your face as you do. Notice how your eyes narrow down, and your mouth goes flat. Your nostrils might flare, and maybe one eyebrow goes up. That’s a wealth of information right there, and you haven’t even seen any of it, but you know exactly how to convey that expression now, because you know what it feels like to make it, and which parts of the face you need to adjust to get that expression across in a drawing.

Now let’s move on to the real MVP – emotion. Emotion can certainly come across in an expression, but you can’t rely on an expression alone. What if your character doesn’t have facial features? Or what if it’s not even the character you’re working with, but you want to infuse setting or background elements with extra emotion. So much of that emotion is expressed through body language. Perhaps you’ve seen the flour sack example used by Disney animators to show how you can give even an inanimate object emotion simply through body language. I’m going to use a slightly different example here with this adorable ravioli that my friend and teammate Priscilla Alpaugh  created based on Disney’s flour sack because it’s just so cute, and I love any excuse to put in a plug for one of my pals.  Another great example of this same principle that I will grab from Disney is in Aladdin. Who else loves Aladdin? It’s one of my all-time favorites. And Carpet is a fantastic example of the importance of body language to convey an emotion; he has no facial features at all, but you always know exactly how he’s feeling all the same because of the way he moves.

Think about this in the same way as I mentioned with expression earlier. What emotion are you trying to convey? How do you move when you’re feeling that way? Pose yourself as you would your character, and feel into that emotion. What does it look like to be excited, or angry? You’re probably very rigid, with straight bold lines full of energy. What about sad? You’re going to be slumped over, with more curves and softer lines. Exaggerate those action lines to really dial in the emotion. Think about the overall shape of your character, but don’t forget to consider all the small movements that can also carry emotion

Animals are often my subjects of choice, and they’re a prime example of this. How does a dog show emotion when it’s happy to see you? Its ears perk up, its tail is raised high and waving frantically. What about when it’s made a mess and is sure it’s going be scolded? Its ears droop, and its tail hangs low and tucked between its legs. How about a cat, who’s scared of that dog? Its fur bristles up, it arches its back, and its tail stands straight up. Or if it’s angry, it might pull its ears flat and back on its head and twitch just the tip of its tail. Animals show emotion in a million tiny ways, and while we as humans can’t move our ears up and down (well most of us can’t!), and don’t have a tail to twitch, there are still plenty of small ways that we show emotion in our bodies as well.

Start paying attention to yourself as you go about your day, the ways you move your face and body depending on how you’re feeling, and use that knowledge to draw upon the next time you’re looking to add a specific expression or an extra bit of emotion to your illustrations.

Bio: Emily Wayne is an author, illustrator, storyteller and artist, a kitty lover and a hedgehog enthusiast, a curious human, a Wonderland-obsessed princess of positivity, and she may or may not be related to Batman – shh! She has more books than bookshelves, and hoards art supplies like a dragon hoarding gold. She is based in beautiful Western, MA where she lives with her human family and a small zoo comprised of a Chihuahua, two cats, two hedgehogs, a conure, a cockatiel, and two lovebirds.

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My Links:

Website: www.emilywayne.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emilywayneillustration/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilywayneillustration/

(or https://www.instagram.com/emmarooooo/ if you want to see a gratuitous amount of hedgie pics)

Twitter: https://twitter.com/emilywayneart

PRIZE

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Emily Wayne is giving out a prize! This 5x7" illustration could be yours. Just leave a comment and enter the rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Quilling in Style with Stacy S. Jensen -- Plus a WINNER!

I asked Stacy Jensen on my blog today because I happened to catch this wonderful post of hers just before Smart Dummies began:  In this post she created beautiful work just using paper. Stacy doesn't see herself as a visual artist, but maybe she should reconsider this view. I could see illustrations like these in books!

Stacy is a wonderful Writer and a lot of fun. I think if she wanted to she could also be an Illustrator with this fun quilling style. I thought that her style could help you see another way of crafting your art. Whether you use this style for inspiration, illustration or just to relax I'm sure you'll be tempted to try this style. It looks like a lot of fun!

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I write short picture book manuscripts.

My efforts to curl paper caught Dani Duck's eye, if you are wondering why a writer is among the guest bloggers.

I began quilling a couple years. I discovered quilling, as a portable craft I could take to a neighborhood meeting. I discovered this craft on Pinterest — not at the age of 12 like most people I know.

Thanks to the Internet, books and online groups, I've taught myself a variety of techniques and have an assortment of tools to crimp, coil, and pinch my paper strips into shape. I also have a large glue collection.

While quilling takes some time away from my writing, I find it feeds into my writing too.

I often put down my quilling to make a note for a new story idea or a story-in-progress.

I've used quilling over the last year to "illustrate" an image for a challenge:

I stretched myself really large in June when I participated in Susanna Leonard Hill's illustrator contest. I created a scene for the "Discovery" theme. (http://www.stacysjensen.com/discovery-stretching-for-a-contest/) It's a bit cliché with the large eye looking down into the grass. But it pushed me. I had a deadline and pushed myself to use new techniques.

When another friend asked me to participate in a #SpreadPoetryonFacebook challenge, I picked up my paper strips and glue. I created four projects for Emily Dickinson poems.

EXAMPLE

3- And another challenge to write a poem about Punxsutawney Phyllis by Susanna Leonard Hill, resulted in two quilled images and a video. (http://www.stacysjensen.com/punxsutawney-phyllis-teamspring/)

Dummies aren't really required for my one-panel projects, but I do create sketches for my work.

Dummies are part of my picture book revision process. They are more word based. I create doodles too. Since I write short, a dummy will often help me find mistakes in my writer logic.

I've researched a lot of quilling artists. While I haven't found one yet in a picture book, I have found several really cool paper artists.

Here are a few paper artist links for inspiration:

• Yulia Brodskaya http://www.artyulia.com/index.php/Illustration/PAPERgraphic
• Denise Fleming (http://www.denisefleming.com/pages/papermaking.html)
• Brittani Rose Gothard. (http://www.brittanirosepaper.com/book-illustrations.html)
• Marina Adamova (http://www.allthingspaper.net/2015/04/paper-illustration-marina-adamova.html)

Thanks for letting me to join you for the Smart Dummies Challenge.

Bio: Stacy S. Jensen writes picture books, eats chocolate, designs websites and quills paper. She lives in Colorado with her family.

Website: http://www.stacysjensen.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StacySJensen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StacySJensen

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Today I'm going to announce the Portfolio Review kindly donated by Mary Reaves Uhles! If you haven't read her post yet, you need to. Mary has excellent Time Management Tips you need to know!

WINNER

The winner of Mary's Portfolio Review is:





Meridth Gimbel

Congratulations Meredith! I'll contact you shortly about your prize (if you don't contact me first).  

Interview With Michael Blackbourn

I have wanted to interview Michael Blackbourn for some time now. I had to be patient, because it's so much more fun to interview a person after their book is out. Well guess what? Michael's book is now out!

I personally love stories about magical beings. Elves, Mermaids, Unicorns and Seelies are some of my favorites. Michael Blackbourn's new book, "Cindercast: A Tale of Tides" is all about a Seelie on a wonderful adventure. Don't know what a Seelie is? Read on to find out!

Also be sure to pick up Michael's book today (Friday) because the Kindle version is free all day long on Amazon! Missed it free? It's still a great price. And the pictures! Oh goodness the pictures are lovely!

1. Why Fantasy?

Thanks for asking, and thanks for the interest in my book. The answer to that question is a little complicated. It's easy to classify Cindercast: A Tale of Tides as fantasy but I'll let you in on a little secret, it's not. It's actually sci-fi in a tiny bite-sized package. My protagonist is a ten-year-old girl who is the size of a grain of rice. Everything else about her world is pretty much the same as ours. The change of perspective allows for some pretty interesting adventures where you can hide from the rising tide by inside a barnacle, or be blown away by a great gust of wind. Crabs roam the tidepools as giant monsters and the only sign of us (the big people) are bits of technology, waiting to be to be discovered, washed up on the beaches.

2. Are you a Seelie or an Unseelie?

My little people are named Seelies. I struggled for quite a while trying to find the perfect name for them that wasn't 'little people'. Sea imps was something that lived on for too long in the manuscript until a search into faeries found me the terms Seelie and Unseelie. The Seelies were the helpful spirits, and the Unseelies were the mischievous ones that would ruin your day. I grabbed these names and the Seelies became the little people... and the Seelies refer to us, the big people as Unseelies. But my story isn't about a clash of the sizes, that story has been told many times before. In Cindercast: A Tale of Tides the story stays with Ollie, a Seelie, and her struggle to survive on the beach and find her way home.

3. Finish these thoughts:

I wish...

I had really, really long arms. I would hook my toes under a rock or something and reach way, way up and grab the moon to try and slow the earth's rotation speed. It never seems like there is enough hours in the day to accomplish what I want.

I'm hiding...

Nothing. But I could hide if I wanted to. I was a paratrooper before becoming a visual effects artist and now an author/illustrator. I spent years with that green camo makeup on my face. Trust me, if I wanted to disappear I would just need to find a place that sells that green stuff in civilian-land and I'd be good. Don't ask me to hide when the stores are closed.

The ocean...

Is the reason I wrote this book. I spent my childhood camping at a sandstone covered beach on an island. It inspired the world of Cindercast. What if you had to run and hide, sheltering between tides. Instead of worrying about day and night, the receding and rising tide would be your major concern. With two high-tides a day you would always be on the clock to get to the next place of shelter. In my book Ollie comes up with come creative solutions when she gets cornered by the rising water.

4. What makes your work special?

The thing that makes my work special is that really, at it's core, it's about something normal. The scenes that play out in my book are things that anyone can go see. Go to a beach, lie down on your belly and look. There is a whole alien world playing out between the tides. I did exactly that while I was doing research for the book and put a borrowed macro lens to good use, getting tons of images for reference. It's a beautiful place we live in. Our oceans are important, I wanted to communicate that to our kids.

5. What is your ultimate goal in life?

Life is window of opportunity. You only have so long to influence the world and the lives of those you love. My ultimate goal would be to make the most of that time. To not squander the unique ability to have a dream and then act on it, and make it real.

Follow Michael:

Read a sample chapter: http://www.cindercast.com/p/read-first-chapter.html

Buy the book, kindle or paperback: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Cindercast

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikeblackbourn

Blog: http://www.cindercast.com/

Interview With Rachel Elizabeth Cole

Rachel Elizabeth Cole knows when something is fantastic, you must hold onto it for dear life. In this case that something fantastic is Middle Grade Fiction. If you haven't read a lot of Middle Grade Fiction you should. Some of the work there is more ponient and intelligent than work for adults.

Since Rachel loves this age group for fiction she can't help but write it herself. Her Middle Grade book, "The Rabbit Ate My Homework" is one that I'm going to have to add to my collection soon. It's not because of the rabbit, but who can resist a book with a cute fuzzy rabbit? You should add it to your collection too!

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Dani: Why middle grade fiction?

Rachel: Middle grade is my favourite age category and contemporary humorous middle grade fiction is my favourite genre in that category. I have probably read more middle grade books than anything else. When I started writing middle grade four years ago, it was a bit like coming home.

Dani: Why does it rain?

Because science. But it doesn't mean I have to like it.

Dani: Finish the following thoughts:

1. My first story... I had published was a short story I wrote in grade five called I Wish I Was Three Inches Tall. My teacher chose the three best in the class and published them in the local newspaper. I was a published author!


2. I can't remember... not being able to read. My kindergarten teacher told my mom I was an odd child because all I did was sit in the corner and look at books. My mom told her, no, I was reading them!

3. Life is... full of ups and downs. Enjoy the ups. Try not to get too discouraged by the downs.

Dani: What's special about your work?

Rachel: I'm probably the wrong person to ask about this! My parents could probably tell you, though!

Dani: What is your ultimate goal in life?

Rachel: To live forever. So far, so good.

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Follow Rachel:

Website: www.rachelelizabethcole.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelElizabethCole

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rachel_e_cole

Interview With Jacque Duffy

Meet Jacque Duffy! She is a Writer, Illustrator and Fine Artist. She will soon be putting on an art exhibition called "Hindsight". She is working on a non-fiction book about Mother Nature's fury and on a crime novel.

Jacque's newest book "The Bear Said Please" was released on April first of this year. She has written and Illustrated many children's books including, "That's Not a House!", "That's Not a Milk Carton!", 'That's Not a Balloon!", That's Not a Raincoat!" and That's Not a Moo Cow!" The first four of which were created to help promote rural life in the cities.

Jacque gives a detailed look into her life as a picture book writer/illustrator on her website and with us as well! I'm sure you'll love her whimsical illustrations and fantastic Fine Art works. Read on to hear more about Jacque!

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Dani: How do you approach your Fine Art differently than your illustration?

Jacque: This is a kind of tricky question. I work in all art mediums (including etching) and my artwork ranges from photorealism to complete abstraction, therefore even my approach to various fine art works vary as each medium or subject requires. (For your question I will answer for my current love of semi-abstract urban landscape canvases.) Both my fine art pieces and my illustration works are creative, they come from the same place in my heart (and head). Being very busy, both have to be allocated time; so unless I have a spurt of “I must do this NOW, quick, run and get the brushes out”, I make a conscience decision of what requires my time. I work best when under threat of a close deadline, or violence, so, even though I say I allocate time, I am still working quite spontaneously. The one BIG difference is, I stand up and dance whilst I paint on canvases, and I sit or lounge when illustrating, often with my eyes closed while I am trying to visualize the image.

Dani: Do you have any art tips that you would like to share with us?

Jacque: The white page or canvas can often be discouraging. I am known for making a mark or doing an upside down scribble before I start a canvas, this to loosen up and just to get rid of the white. Sometimes I will spill paint on purpose too (I wear a lot).

Dani: What do you do when you have writer's/artist's block?

Jacque: I vacuum. That is a no fail way to come up with an idea. I loathe cleaning and am naturally very messy, vacuuming puts me into a mood so I talk to myself; eventually I come up with a crazy idea or two.






Dani: How do you come up with the ideas for your books?

Jacque: I breathe, I have ideas. I have so many ideas (not all good) that I will have to clone myself 100 times and each of us will have to live indefinitely to be able to see all of my ideas into fruition (look, another idea for a story). I have dreams of being an inventor, explorer, and archeologist, architect, my list goes on but you get the idea (look, another story idea). I guess I am interested in so many things I “see” stories everywhere.


Dani: Which of your books is your favourite?

Jacque: Each has been my favorite as I worked on it, but can I say “Anzac” even though I haven’t finished illustrating it yet and I don’t have a contract for it? I am in love with the main character and what happens to him. It is the story of a little goat; he is a prize in a Two-Up game. All he wants is to be loved by his new family, he tries various ways to win them over with no success until a butcher arrives and takes a fancy to him. It is one of those stories that has been with me a long time and has become part of me. I am considering self-publishing this one as I know I could do a fair job of it. The agents that have seen it have all loved it but it “wasn’t for them as it is so Australian”. Also time wise I think I should do it myself, next April 25th (2015) is the 100th anniversary of ANZAC Day (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps – day of commemoration for the fallen). It is probably Australia’s most important national occasion, everything stops, nothing is open, but the streets are filled with people watching the dawn service, the march of old Diggers (soldiers) servicemen and women, and school children wearing red poppies or the medals of past family members who fought for the country. Afterwards the crowds fill the local RSL halls and play Two-Up, share stories and drink beer.

Dani: I've heard you've had a lot of success with your books in schools and libraries, could you please tell us more about this?

Jacque: My first leap into writing was to write a ‘learn to read’ style book for my nephews who live far away in a city. It was to show them how their cousins (my children) live so differently to them surrounded by farms and machinery that work day and night. Not long after I wrote that, the Australian Government was making policy changes that were affecting many local farmers and many protests were held, farmers were losing their farms. I wanted to help, I knew that to engage the interest of city people protests were not the way. I thought if, as an x-city person, I put my money and effort where mouth was in aid of the farmers it might attract attention. I wrote and illustrated a ‘learn to read’ book for each kind of farm affected and self-published them donating the money raised to the farmers fighting fund. The government somehow saw these books (5 in total) and bought thousands of them to put into schools and libraries. They were evaluated by the Education Library Services and (phew) accepted. I have since discovered they are even used within Australia’s various university Education Faculties. Last year I was contacted by the Education Dept and asked if they could digitize my books so disabled children could access them, what an honour, I was so pleased. Then late last year I was approached by two professors who were creating the new National Curriculum and asked if I had anything new they could see. I put them in touch with the publisher of my latest picture book “The Bear Said Please” it is now part of a lesson plan for the National Curriculum. It sits alongside books by Jane Yolen, Mem Fox, Roald Dahl, Jackie French, Emily Gravatt and lots of other incredible authors and illustrators. I can’t believe it, I am still pinching myself.

Dani: Do you have any new book ideas that you're working on?

Jacque: As I said before I have a problem with ideas. What I need to do is finish things. Last year being part of 12 x 12 was the BEST thing I could have done for myself. I learned so much about writing picture books (who knew it could be so complicated - like an intricately woven doily on Granny’s sideboard) and the monthly check-ins kept me producing.

PiBoIdMo made me organize my ideas pile (mountain) a little better, I now have a dedicated handmade book that I add to daily. The best thing about joining 12 x12 I managed to polish many stories thanks to the critiques from those people (like you) that I have become friends with, you guys are without doubt the most generous, trustworthy, and … I could go on here. So far this year I haven’t spent as much time with my 12 x 12 buddies and I miss them terribly but I have been crazy busy with two solo art exhibitions, a city beautification project in a city far away, and the launch and promotion of my latest picture book “The Bear Said please”. There is as much hard work and creativity in promoting a new book as there is in actually producing it. For the moment, I am going to concentrate on “Anzac” as well as continue to write new stories and make more time to visit the forums on 12 x 12.

Website: www.jacquesartandbooks.com/blog

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JacqueDuffy

Teresa Robeson and Homestead Notes

Teresa Robeson is a fantastic artist and writer. Her blog, Homestead Notes, gives readers a look into her life both in and outside of her professional life. http://homesteadnotes.blogspot.ca/ Whether you are looking for a laugh, a good story or just want a warm fuzzy feeling go to Teresa's. WARNING: DO NOT READ ON AN EMPTY STOMACH! (It's just too yummy!)

Not many blogs have a lot (and in this case I do mean a lot) of writing. Teresa's blog is the opposite of most blogs, because she shares a lot of her writing. I think this is a great thing, because it leads to better stories and poetry in the end. In reading her work it's very evident why several magazine publishers have chosen her work for their magazines!

Teresa writes a lot, but she is also an artist and illustrator at heart. You can see a lot of her work featured on her blog and website: http://www.teresarobeson.com/ I love when she posts her doodle day drawings. Teresa is skilled in many different artistic mediums. Of these she seems to favor Pastel and Charcoal (Two mediums that I struggle with myself). I do hope to see her work in a picture book or cover of a novel soon!

Throughout her blog you will find videos of her talking about books. These are short and to the point, and so worth watching each and every one! I love that you can watch them in about a minute, but they are also so cozy. It's almost having a nice warm cup of cocoa... almost!

Other than her book talk: my most favorite part of Teresa's blogs is all the information about food. I love this, because outside of blogs about art, writing and books I love blogs about food the absolute best!  I am not kidding about the warning above. You will drool when you see the things she makes. She is a woman after my own heart, because she eats desserts (the healthy kind with oatmeal and stuff) for breakfast.

Anyone who visits Teresa's blog will find something they love. She has a timeless and fun personality and I love interacting with her on Facebook and Twitter. I love you guys, but I have to go. I need to bake a cake. Yes, a cake at midnight. How else will it be ready for breakfast?

Follow Teresa on:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TeresaRobeson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teresa.robeson

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/inwriter/

Interview with Suzy Leopold

Suzy Leopold is a very talented writer, painter and educator. The paintings you see are ones she created herself! Suzy lives in Staunton, Illinois with her husband Perry. She has five boys and is a grandmother to seven grandchildren. Suzy has Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s of Science degree in Reading. She likes cycling, jogging, crafting and gardening. She has a profound passion for learning, and she works towards teaching children the important skills they need become successful not only at school, but in life as well. Suzy doesn't ignore parents in the learning process but empowers" parents and guardians with tips and tools that are needed to support their child’s learning at home and at school, prepares the child for a successful future." With her love of education comes the desire to help children everywhere experience the joy of reading. You can visit Suzy's blog here: http://sleopoldblog.wordpress.com/




1. You say that you aren't a published writer, but you just got an article published in the Macoupin County Enquirer~Democrat. How does it feel to have an article published?

     Excited and encouraged, is how I feel as a published writer.  Excited to have my first published article in a local newspaper, Macoupin County ~ Carlinville Enquirer~Democrat on January 9, 2014.  The title of the article is:  Make a Personal or Family Resolution and Fulfill the Promise.  As part of the Enquirer~Democrat Write Team, I have the opportunity to share five more columns throughout the year.  Encouraged, I feel, to fulfill a dream of becoming a published children’s picture book author as I continue to hone the craft of writing. 

2. Does having a class full of 3, 4 and 5 year-olds help you with your writing, or does it hinder you?

     As an educator of hundreds of students, throughout the years, from preschool through eighth grade, along with college level students,  I find my career  supports my desire to write, along with instilling the love and value of reading with all who pass through my classroom door.

      Read alouds are always shared with students, on a daily basis, in    my classroom.  Reading to children should begin with young babies and toddlers, using board books while vocabulary is developed along with listening and speaking skills.  Preschoolers enjoy picture books with rhyme and rhythm and repetition.  Interactive books, such as lift the flap books, are great choices for the preschool years.  Children that are read to develop literacy skills, increased vocabulary, and acquire many concepts, which prepares a child for success in school as he/she enters prekindergarten and kindergarten.  As a student becomes an independent reader, read alouds should continue throughout a student’s school career.  Introducing students to a wide variety of genres, both fiction and non fiction, promotes the importance and value of reading.  

     

     What an honor to share read alouds with my English Language Learners [ELLs}, from throughout the world: Sweden, Mexico, Cambodia, Columbia, Japan, Germany, Korea, and China,to name a few countries. Sharing read alouds with my ELLs, provides a better understanding for content area subjects, of Math, Science and Social Studies.  The high expectation to master required concepts, can be achieved through the simpler language of picture books, and provide mastery of the required objectives, when picture books are read to my ELLs in prekindergarten to eight grade.

     As I prepare college level students, to become future teachers, I share read alouds with young adult students in our Integrated Language Arts class.  I model, for my adult students, the gift of reading and the benefits of sharing books with their future students. 

     

     My current teaching assignment is in an early childhood classroom at St. Michael’s School.  Such a joyful heart, I have, as I share the love of reading with my three, four and five year olds, on a daily basis.  Everyday the children grow as readers, writes, and creators.   Everyday, as their teacher, Mrs. Sue, grows as a reader, writer and creator.  My preschoolers teach me so much and I am thankful for the many ideas and topics, that the students share with me, that I can write about.

3. What made you want to become a writer?

     The Cat in the Hat, Charlotte’s Web, Good-night Moon, Stuart Little and Winnie the Pooh are all beloved children’s books that my Mom read to me fifty plus years ago.  You may recognize the list of classic book titles, may have listened to, or even read the same books as a kid.  

     I am so thankful that my Mom instilled the value of reading in me.  She modeled for my sister and me the value of learning, as young children.  Visiting the public library and checking out a tall stack of favorite books, and sometimes checking out the same titles numerous times, was a family event that we enjoyed, prior to kindergarten and continued throughout our attendance in elementary school.  Reading picture books to my sister and I was a special time when Mom shared the joy of reading with us.  Reading was part of our daily routine, usually as a bedtime ritual, while cuddling in bed or sitting together in a big, comfy chair.

     So, just like I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up, I also knew I want to be an author of children’s picture books, when I grow up. So, I will continue to follow the dream.

4. I know that you paint as well, do you think that you'll end up doing some illustrations for a future book?

     Being a creative crafter, from sewing, to acrylic and watercolor painting and a wide variety of arts and crafts is also an interest of mine.  What an amazing goal to reach for and to become an author of a children’s picture book, and an illustrator of children’s picture books.

5. What are some of the things you are doing this year to further your writing career?

     To further develop my many interests of reading, writing and creating, can sometimes be a challenge to balance all that life brings my way as I find time to pursue creative opportunities.  For the first time, I participated in PiBoIdMo by Tara Lazar in November 2013 and Shannon Abercrombie’s Start the Year Off Write 2014.  I belong to a picture book critique group and enjoy reading many tips, ideas, and suggestions about becoming an author, from numerous blogs and books.

6. I know you have a passion for literacy, so is there anything you'd like to share about the importance of literacy for young readers?

      Sharing the importance of the love of learning is a passion of mine. The key to learning and growing is in the power of the written word. Knowing how to read, comprehend what is read and the skill of writing are required skills that will equal student success.  

     

     Do you value literacy and the importance of reading everyday?  Do you promote the love of reading everyday?  Parents can help promote their child's literacy and the development of reading comprehension.  Even before a child can exhibit the skill of reading, young children begin to acquire basic concepts about literacy.  The single most important activity for building these understandings and skills, that are essential for reading success, is reading aloud to children.  Board books read to babies from birth develops the infant’s brain that continues to develop during the first year of life. Nursery rhymes read to tiny toddlers, lays the foundation for language development. Picture books read to children during the preschool years, builds success in learning. Reading to and with elementary school age kids, equals expanded vocabulary and builds a foundation for student achievement. 

     Want your child to be a better reader, develop the habit of reading as lifelong learning, and be successful in school?  It is plain and simple; just read.  Reading is magic.  Read, write and create everyday.    

Meg Miller's Painting of Me!

Meg Miller ran a contest a little while ago to advertise ReviMo or Revise More Picture Books Week!  http://megmillerwrites.blogspot.ca/p/revimo_16.html Well I was one of the winners of this contest. I could have won a Starbucks card or have myself cartooned by the talented Meg Miller. Guess which one I chose? Here is the wonderful painting she did of me! She did a wonderful job. Thank you so much again, Meg!

Meg Miller

Meg Miller has a wonderful blog. She writes about herself as a writer, artist and also a mother of two. She has lively paintings which she posts often onto her blog. The neatest thing about Meg Miller's blog is that she will soon be hosting ReviMo! You can visit her blog here: http://megmillerwrites.blogspot.ca

I'm not sure how Meg gets anything done with two children in the house. I have one and sometimes it seems impossible (of course mines worse than 3 kids. Ha, ha, ha!) Her beautiful little boy was born in June. Even then Meg is already getting back to posting! It took me six months to blog again after David was born, and even then I did very few posts. Already Meg is going ahead and posting book reviews, updating resources and organizing ReviMo. This is just what she's doing on her blog! She's also a participant in the 12 x 12 and that is a lot of work in and of itself.

ReviMo or Revise More Picture Books Week is an event taking place in January 12 through the 18, 2014. 
This is a great event for me because I've been writing a lot of stories for the 12x12 but I've had no time to even think about revising them. So far 121 people have signed up, and there are a lot of great prizes including a picture book critique from Simone Kaplan and A Making Picture Book Magic Class with Susanna Leonard Hill! There are lots of other prizes that she has already, plus there are more to come! You can see the entire list (Seven huge prizes so far!), read more about ReviMo and sign up here: http://megmillerwrites.blogspot.ca/p/revimo_16.html I'm really excited to see what happens!

I love Meg's artwork. She's really busy right now, so she doesn't get time to do much. She will be working on a cartoon for me because I won a contest on her blog recently! I'm so excited and can't wait until she gets it done. Meg also does really nice posts about the writing life. I love the post she did about her own life for the blog hop! She also keeps people up to date about SCBWI events, resources, writing helps and writing challenges much like her own!

Definitely check out Meg's blog now. She has some great posts to come in the near future. Also you don't miss out on anything about ReviMo, because it will be an awesome event!  

Chieu Anh Urban

Normally I don't review blogs that are new but I'm making an exception for Chieu Anh Urban (there is an ^ above the e in her name that I just can't seem to show here. So just imagine it's there as you read). Though she is new to blogging Chieu Anh is not new to the world of publishing. She has two books: "Raindrops: A Shower of Colours" and her new book "Away We Go: A Shape and Seek Book." You can find her blog here: http://chieuurban.blogspot.ca/ and her website here: http://www.chieuurban.com

You can't help but know that Chieu Anh is an illustrator when visiting her website and blog. The colours are just amazing. She is also a graphic designer, photographer and a writer to boot! The animation on her main webpage is really cute, so roll your mouse over everything and enjoy these before you start clicking!

Chieu Anh is no stranger to to fun. Her books are full of fun as is her website. To celebrate her new book release Chieu Anh has put up several coloring and activity pages up on her website. Just click on "Fun Stuff" on her home page and you'll be able to download the fun for yourself. If you are planning a party there are display cards, shape signs, banners, cupcake flags and name tags!  If you just want to have some fun there are colouring pages, cut and paste, colour the shapes, counting and matching activities. There are also some fun activities below these printables (as if those activities weren't enough)! Cheiu Anh's blog isn't short of activities to do. She has lots of crafts kids can make play with and sometimes even eat!

A lot of Chieu Anh's blog posts are focused around the release of her book. As such there are lots of pictures of the launch party. I don't think I've seen another blog that has as many nice photos depicting... well any event. It's not all about the book release. There is also lots of pictures of the lovely mermaid party she had for her daughter. Not everything was made by Chieu Anh in either party, but she did choose things for her party from people who gave a high attention to detail. Chieu Anh has a high attention to detail in her photography as well!

 Please check out Chieu Anh's blog and webpage right away! The posts that Chieu Anh has so far are signs of great things to come for her blog. Her two books are wonderful and I'm sure she'll have more great books yet to come. Tune back next week and I'll give you a look at Brianna's blog. Don't go away for a week, though, because tomorrow I will be posting my "What's Up Wednesday" post!