PiBoIdMo Starts Today!

Just a reminder that PiBoIdMo starts today! Click the picture below to go directly to Tara's Blog. It's excellent for all of you working on new ideas for writing and illustration (even if you aren't doing picture books)!

My family had a great time yesterday doing the Halloween thing. We had to pick up a few things for my costume, so we just happened to see The Mystery Machine along the way! 

I unfortunately didn't get a picture of Peter as Superman in his costume, but I got me as Dr. Who along with David as a Transformer.

 






David's costume was extra special this year. Grandma made it (like she always does). There are lots of Transformer costumes out there that transform, but David's was made out of fabric so he was comfortable all night, and it can easily be put into the wash if it gets too dirty! It was also really cool because if a car came, or you used a flash to take pictures, he would glow!




















That's it for my Halloween post. I hope you all enjoyed your Halloween. Also I hope parents remember to cash in on that candy tax. ;)

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!  

Dee White and DeeScribewriting

It's been a rough couple of weeks getting my toddler to bed at a decent hour. Also doing things like blogging during the day isn't working too well for me. I do try, but it's rough! So I'm down to the last 30 minutes of Tuesday (again) trying to pound out a review that is accurate and coherent. Please let me know if the latter is slipping, because I'm not ashamed to go back and fix my grammar mistakes. And yes the mistakes will be grammar related.

I found out about Dee White's blog through Kelly McDonald a wonderful Writer and Illustrator! Dee White's blog is focused on making a writer out of anyone who reads her blog. Not everyone can or wants to be a writer, but if you do, Dee will give you the tools you need to become a great writer. You can find her blog here: http://deescribewriting.wordpress.com

There is just so much great information in this blog that I almost don't know where to start! The tips that she gives are astoundingly detailed. I loved the article about the Journey to Publication which is kind of funny because that was exactly the article that lead me to writing this post, and also is the article that mentions Kelly! This article gives a detailed synopsis on how Dee worked on her road to publishing her book "Letters to Leonardo". If this wasn't enough good information she goes on to give 10 wonderful tips about getting published.

The tips on this blog aren't limited to Dee alone. Dee has several Authors on her blog that give great tips as well. This allows us as readers to get several perspectives on writing without actually having to read several blogs (not that you shouldn't read other blogs). These perspectives don't forget the role of illustrators in them! There is a lot of information for illustrators on this blog, which is just wonderful for someone like me who both writes and illustrates.

All of Dees tips are posted on Tuesdays, however there are times when she has more to say and she'll post other times during the week. Often these off day posts will talk about her writing classes. Yes, she does writing classes as well! I haven't taken many writing classes (outside of college) myself and can't tell you all the things to look for in a teacher. However, I can tell you this: Anyone who can post in detail about the craft of writing every week (and do it this well) is someone you should seriously consider making your teacher. She is also offering Writer's Retreats, which just makes me wish that I lived in Australia. If I ever visit I know what I'm doing!

If you are a Writer or Illustrator you need to check out Dee's blog now. You haven't looked yet? Why haven't you looked? Okay I'm obviously tired and need to go to bed now (after typing a story and doing many other things), but do check out Dee White's blog. You're going to love me for pointing this blog out to you!

Free Magazines and Non-Fiction Writers!

Teresa Robeson is giving out 5 magazines. 3 Ladybug, and 2 Babybug magazines. These magazines all have her poetry in them! Go here to sign up, but hurry, the drawing is Sunday night!

Also for those of you who want to write Non-Fiction you should go to Teresa's site to learn more about NaNoWriMo. Yes I saw the name and thought "What the hey?" as well. It's really a great way to learn about Non-Fiction writing. It also has prizes and whatnot for those who are good at writing Non-Fiction. 

Check these both out and I hope you have fun! http://homesteadnotes.blogspot.ca/2013/05/an-un-birthday-giveaway-more.html

Workshop: The Agents of the Erin Murphy Literary Agency

There are a few workshops that the A Path to Publishing is offering on their website. These workshops are video learning tools that may help you on the path to publishing. For prices and more info please click the links. Sorry that I didn't get this info sooner, because there are three workshops already sold out! They claim to be able to have 24 people sign up with no lag time in picture or audio. The following are workshops that are currently not full:

The first is from the "Agents of the Erin Murphy Literary Agency: on April 24th:
http://apathtopublishing.com/the-agents-of-the-erin-murphy-literary-agency/

This workshop starts with you being able to talk to other writers before the presentation begins. Then a 60 minute presentation by the staff followed by a 30 minute Q & A. This is not where you can pitch your book, but you can learn a lot from this agency.

The second is called "The Plot Whisperer+10 hour Agent Workshop:
http://apathtopublishing.com/plot-whispereragent-workshops/

With this you get a workbook to help you in your process of plotting your book. You will develop your book over these 10 hours just like an in-person writing workshop. Plot consultant Martha Alderson and Literary Agent Jill Corcoran will help you on your journey!

The third and final workshop is a 1 hour consultation or 1-on-1 critique group with Literary Agent Jill Corcoran:
http://apathtopublishing.com/would-you-like-me-to-visit-your-critique-group/

This is just what it sounds like. Want to share the cost (and the time) with a few friends? You can do that here! Jill Corcoran will be critiquing your manuscript/concepts or talking about anything you wish to talk about.

If you do take any of these workshops do let me know. I will not be able to participate due to time restraints. I do not know if they will be hosting more workshops, but it doesn't hurt to go to http://apathtopublishing.com/ after these workshops are completed to see!