Musical Message: Sing It to Me, Mama Cass

It's just before nine o'clock this morning, and although I've been up for hours now, it took me a while to truly get "at 'em." Not that there's anything wrong with the occasional slow start. I enhanced this one with a few tunes that fit my mood, which is a-jumble with flashes of transitional melancholia and hopeful determination. (Yeah, it's Monday.)

This song has always warmed me, so I was pleased to stumble upon it when initially searching my library for the more on-the-nose "Monday, Monday."



It perfectly speaks to my mindset as I continue defining and refining my path as a children's writer — and the other things I am, and do. My path, my interests, my work, my particular skills? Well, they are mine. Not yours or his or hers. Mine. And any day in which I get a reminder to sing my own special song is a good day, indeed.

Sing your song today, too, please — okay?

KidLit Quote of the Week #6

This quote, a lyric from the song "Your Life Is Now," has been running through my mind:

"This is your time here . . .
to do what you will do."

—John Mellencamp

The former John Cougar Mellencamp makes a good point. It's that kind of so-obvious-we-often-miss-it fact we all "get" with a sharp gasp of deep understanding from time to time.

I'm in the midst of acting on my own most recent gasp, and because "what I will do" involves writing for children, it hit me that the very heart of any good story is characters doing what they will do, understanding (or coming to the understanding) that life is happening — and acting on the "Now what?"

Breaking news this is not.  But it's good to remember that life is art and art is life and now is IT.

Book a Virtual Visit with Skype Authors and Help Fund Education Charities!

Just in time to celebrate "back to school," I am thrilled to help spread the word about Skype Authors!

This newly launched author group offers virtual visits to schools, book clubs, and, really, any organization looking for an easy and inexpensive way to host an author talk. (And, yes, I'm one of the authors — and I am so pleased to be in such excellent company.)

Suzanne Williams formed the network to benefit schools right here in the U.S. — while adding the goal of raising money to help support education efforts worldwide. To that end, each of us at Skype Authors has pledged to donate 25 percent of our virtual-visit fees booked through our site to a select charity each school year.

For the 2011–2012 season, we've chosen to contribute to Camfed, an organization that supports girls' education initiatives in Africa. Watch this brief introductory video about Camfed's mission to see why, as narrator Morgan Freeman says, "When you educate a young rural girl, you give her a voice."



Would your school or organization like to book a Skype Authors virtual talk for HALF OFF the regular fee? You can if you win our Half and Half Contest running through October 1! All you have to do is surf over to our site and comment on this September 6 blog entry. Two lucky commenters chosen at random will receive a half-off Skype visit — and the entire half-priced fee you pay will be donated to Camfed!

I'm excited to be part of this new venture, and I hope to see you on the online video phone soon.

Celebrating the Reader on the Wings of Mockingbird

Yes, yes, the big 50th publication birthday for Harper Lee's brilliant To Kill a Mockingbird was officially Sunday, July 11. It's now July 14. But I'm not done thinking about it!

(Besides, I totally missed the party Sunday while taking a lovely day to be outside, read a book, talk to family. And never mind the fact that — with all the months of birthday coverage I'd already seen — quite frankly I'd started tuning out whenever I saw something new.)

Mockingbird is one of those rare books that garners near universal acknowledgment as a masterpiece. For me, just seeing the book cover or hearing the title makes me immediately call up a feeling of reverence for this powerful story featuring timeless themes, a you-are-there setting, and distinctly drawn characters.

I really don't remember when I read it for the first time. Was it on my own, or for school? That I don't recall surprises me, as I do remember exactly "when" for so many of my other all-time favorite books, including those read first in childhood. I do know I was a youngster of the teen-type. I also know I reread it in college, for work in the early 1990s, and then again for fun probably five years ago. Or so. (Naturally, I've also seen its equally brilliant film adaptation numerous times.) I know I loved it from the start, but I don't think I truly sat in awe of it until I was older.

Obviously, Mockingbird deserves this year-long celebration. For giving us all such a lasting gift, Harper Lee — its fascinatingly private author — deserves all the accolades we can throw her way. And I have enjoyed seeing myriad journalists, scholars, celebrity authors, and celebrity-celebrities (oh: Oprah, too) reflect on their experiences with/feelings about/analyses of the book.

But what I want to know is, How do today's young people feel when they read it? (And many do read it.) How does it play with a contemporary audience who didn't read it in the context of "current" life in the 60s, 70s, 80s, or 90s? Does the book speak to today's kids? Do they love it too?

I found this amazing book trailer created by a junior high student. Take a peek.



This gave me chills. (Well done, Max Weinstein of Paideia School in Atlanta!) It made me want to dive back into the book, to recapture that wider-eyed, all-senses-firing feeling I get when I'm completely lost in a story.

While replaying the trailer, all I can think about is how happy I am to see a tangible reminder that kids today not only are connecting with this great work, but they are, in fact READING books of all types and LOVING IT. I know, this was a school project, but still. That creative kid was moved and inspired by reading.

Those of us working in publishing and education — and, of course, countless tuned-in parents —  know we're growing legions of eager young readers, but news of the world so seldom focuses on them. Much time is spent lamenting the problem of getting children to read at all. Not that it isn't a serious problem we must address; I just think the occasional good news is nice, too. So I decided to take a few minutes to reflect on those who are reading. To celebrate what they're reading and how THEY'RE affected by our beloved To Kill a Mockingbird, other classics, and all the great new literature they get to enjoy.

You know they have opinions (and one could argue those are the most important ones). And you know the books are shaping their lives — from now to when they, too, can play Remember When about their own all-time favorites.

Today, I celebrate . . . THE READER! Join me?

Too Cool Not to Share

Pictorial Webster's: Inspiration to Completion from John Carrera on Vimeo.

Chewandswallow Goes Hollywood

The classic picture book Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs imagines life in a town where food drops "like rain from the sky." (That's good, right? Or is it? Read the book, please!!) It's a fantastic concept and, as evidenced by the forthcoming movie version's official trailer, it should prove fantastical on the big screen.

Take a peek:



It certainly looks, um, animated. But (to me) it already feels very different, stylistically, from the book. What do you think?

Poetry Friday: An "Earworm," or a Writer's Potentially Empowering Refrain?

It's Poetry Friday in the KidLitosphere! Kind of late in the day (it's three-thirty-ish at my house) to slap together a participating post, but I just this minute decided to join the fray. About an hour ago, I languished on hold FOREVER waiting to talk to a colleague, and the song I heard — "If You Love Me (Let Me Know)" — has not yet left my brain:

If you love me, let me know / If you don't, then let me go . . . ./ If you love me, let it be / If you don't, then set me free / Take the chains away / That keep me loving you.

Really, what's a writer girl to do with a rhyming lyric like that if not take to her blog with Poetry Friday–pertinent thoughts. I'm hoping the sharing will release me from the song's earwormy grips . . .

So, as I got back to business at my desk, the song's refrain having super-glued itself to my auditory cortex, I started noting the many opportunities we writers have to feel said refrain as we deal with all types of feedback loops on our various paths to publication. Examples flow from absolutely everything I'm working on right now.

(1) In my sights from writers wanting me to show their work some love, preferably ASAP: a pile of 20 manuscripts I need to critique for a literary contest that connects winners with potential agents and editors; an email from an aspiring author asking me to evaluate a piece of writing; and a manuscript I'm editing for a publisher client.

(2) Writing work of my own that I hope will lead to more yays (!) than nays (!), and sooner rather than later: new writing for an upcoming first-pages clinic; the detailed outline I just this morning emailed an editor for an already-contracted book (is it too soon to check in for a reaction?); the two (count 'em!) draft manuscripts I want to revise this year and pitch to an agent; the Grades 6–8 lesson plan I'm currently revising to satisfy a reviewer's wishes; and a broad synopsis/basic storyline chronology I submitted earlier this week to a new publisher I'm probably (though no contract yet exists) going to write for.

Hmm. You can see which list is longer. And why, perhaps, the song tapped in to my professional psyche instead of my personal one (which tends to know where it stands). My writer's head pulled a Babblefish on the hooky lyrics and heard: "If you aren't interested in . . . or you don't like . . . the writing I've sent on spec or under contract (ETC.), then please just let me know so I can move ahead/on (by either trashing, fixing, or rehoming) in a dignified way."

It's all par for the course in a writer's day, and so often produces some of the crazy-hazy dynamics of courtship. Don't you think?

Now, for your listening/viewing/poetry-sussing pleasure, enjoy this clip of Olivia Newton-John performing the song live.



The radio version I heard on the phone was a bit slower and felt kind of "lovesick" to me. But this sassier version makes the person delivering the message seem secure, in control, and ready to face the situation with confidence, regardless of what the other person thinks or does. And that's the attitude I try to embrace as a writer. If a professional relationship or partnership (or, heck, just a piece of writing) doesn't work out, ONWARD AND UPWARD is the only way to go!

For today's complete Poetry Friday roundup, head over to The Drift Record.

Celebrating 40 Years of a Classic: The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar is celebrating 40 years of publishing success! Can you believe it?

Google is honoring the event (today only!) with a special tribute logo. You can read about the book's history in this interesting Newsweek.com piece.

And, here's a short video of Mr. Carle sharing a bit about the book and its message of hope — perfect for the first day of spring, or any day at all.

"You Don't Want to Be Flapping Your Arms Like a Crazy Madman"

Just back from vacation, catching up on everything unrelated to doing nothing.

A friend sent me a link to this video and I had to share — it's young author Alec Greven giving snippets of advice from his newish book How to Talk to Girls. Tried and true tips, straight from the mouth of a young babe magnet:



Alec gives a few solid nuggets here, don't you think? No madman-esque arm flapping. Cut down on the sugar. And, for heaven's sake, MOVE ON when a relationship (or anything, for that matter) goes south.

Disclaimer: Haven't read the book! But I did just read the reviews on Amazon. Seems people either love it or take it waaayyyyy too seriously and, thus, hate it.

The Morning After: How Soon Before the First Children's Book Drops?

This moment will give rise to soooooo many new children's books, both immediately and far into the future.



I predict that Lincoln and Washington will have to welcome Obama to the Most-Written-About-U.S.-Presidents Club.

No doubt they'd both love the idea.

Mark Your Calendar for November 4

Ira Glass's Storytelling Insights

This American Life's Ira Glass isn't specifically talking about children's writing in these video clips about the building blocks of story, but do take a look. You won't be sorry.

Ira Glass on Storytelling #1



Ira Glass on Storytelling #2



Ira Glass on Storytelling #3


Ira Glass on Storytelling #4

Interesting Judy Blume Clip

Judy Blume, author of several of the most frequently "challenged" children's books ever, talks about censorship. I knew about Forever, Deenie, and Are You There God? It's Me Margaret . . . but Tales of a Fourth-Grade Nothing too? Really?



Blume has also said:

“[I]t's not just the books under fire now that worry me. It is the books that will never be written. The books that will never be read. And all due to the fear of censorship. As always, young readers will be the real losers.”

Children's Book Trailers

Have you seen the new(ish) practice of creating promotional trailers for children's books? Here's a great trailer for John Scieszka and Lane Smith's Cowboy and Octopus Travel the World. Hard to resist, eh?

When Office Assistants Bark

Just a bit of fun at the end of a very Monday-ish Monday in the home office. I kept my loyal assistant Asta waiting many hours past her regular walk time today. She found the experience excruciating. But after a couple hours of issuing melodramatic doggie sighs, human-grade harrumphs, and dagger-like stares in my specific direction, she settled down and transformed herself into a sweet little trouper. (Good thing, too, because her Time to Walk campaigns are distracting.)

When I finally gave the go-ahead, Asta was 15 kinds of excited. It's fun to see my typically bark-less pup let it out! I shot this amateurish clip last week under eerily similar circumstances.

It's Monday — Get Moving, Get Writing!

Here's a YouTuber's creative melding of Blur's "Song 2" with Gene Kelly's fast, furious, fancy footwork. I don't know the lyrics at all, but the driving beat of the song showcases Kelly's awesome precision and gorgeous artistry. Watching it helps pump me up to tackle this week's big pile o' writing. Gotta get a move on. Today, tomorrow, and all week long!

The Celebrity Children's Book Author That Couldn't

Harsh but amusing. The video creator's feelings on the issue run even deeper than mine. The topic clearly strikes a chord — I don't have a big readership, but that one post has generated more hits than any other so far.

The Power of the Book

Enjoy this video clip from a talk by Gary Paulsen, author of such memorable works as Hatchet, Brian's Winter, Winterdance, and Lawn Boy.

Author Harlan Ellison Says, "Pay the Writer!"

I first saw this on the Renegade Writer blog. Had to add it to mine, too.

My thoughts on those who ask writers to give them free work — and the many, many writers who supply it — mirror Mr. Ellison's. Hope you enjoy the clip as much as I do! (You'll want to use earphones at your workplace; if you're at home, send any young ears to another room.)