…’tis a writer’s life..

By Linda Bartosik

May

31

During the past two weeks I have had what I call sort of a cart-before-the-horse experience on my writer’s journey. I recently wrote something that my colleagues thought had some substance to it and suggested I drop everything else and make this project my number one priority. Normally I wouldn’t have too much anxiety over this, but my project, by it’s very nature, places a submission time limit on itself. It is another children’s picture book, complete with illustrations.

The writing and illustrating of the book was the easy part. When I write, I go to a space that inspires me and makes me feel alive. When I sit down to begin the illustrations, I easily slip into the world where the story is taking place. The whole process is very relaxing and enlightening because I’ve learned when I first began this journey, placing time limits and restrictions on creativity just created anxiety instead of stories. I started this journey two and a half years ago and it is only within this past year I’ve learned to slow down and let my own writing process grow and develop.

Progress wise, I never expected to create anything with any kind of urgency to submit for publication so soon. I pushed the “how to” of publishing aside and refused to even take time with how to write a query letter or find a publishing house perfect for my book. I did research self-publishing, thinking it fit my internal timeline a little better.

Now I have this book. It needs to be submitted ASAP. (This would be the cart.) I’m overwhelmed. The amount of time and research required to learn to write a good query letter – one that will get an editor’s attention amid the “slush pile”, and find a suitable “house”, is something one gains over years of doing this. (That would’ve been the horse.)

Hmmm….I needed a plan. A colleague got me kickstarted. She suggested I set aside a time everyday to work on this project, set a timer, and at the end of the time write down what I accomplished. She saved me. Her suggestion lent structure to my day and gave me a concrete way to begin. Then a few days ago, a book an editor friend promised to send me arrived at just the right moment. It was a copy of the 2012 Children’s Writers and Illustrators Market. In it were examples of query letters and a current directory of all the children’s publishing houses.

My plan continues to unfold. I set aside 2pm to 5pm everyday to work on this project. The time includes rewrites of the story, but most important it includes studying query letters and publishing houses. During the month of June I plan to gain a great deal of experience figuring out how to submit my book for publication. (Going to seriously try to get the cart and the horse in the right order.)

The best part of this plan? This book travels well to the beach and 2pm to 5pm just happens to be prime beach time. I just love when a plan comes together, don’t you?

And so, as another day goes by, book in beach bag, chair in hand, I saunter off to the beach to spend the afternoon with the publishers, …’tis the life of a writer…and…I have written.
*Another Day Goes By is my daily blog that can be found at:
Another Day Goes By

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I Am A Writer

By Linda Williams

May

30

Greetings;
I recently critiqued two blossoming memoir writers, and was assured by both the man and the woman, “I’m not a writer.” When I was shown their books, both were over two-hundred pages long. That is a lot of writing for one, who isn’t a writer. What is it about the word, writer, which intimidates people?
When I thought more about it, I realized the word, itself, is probably considered a profession, but not so. Writing is a process. If a person is a teacher or a nurse, it is obvious to all that years of education ensued to earn the title. To be considered a writer, however, one must begin by simply writing. One young person noted, “My computer’s broken, so I can’t write.” What? Is it possible the young, computer generation is no longer of a mindset to connect pencil or pen to paper to create?
Some of the greatest writing was created while the writer was imprisoned, either in body like St. Paul or the Holocaust survivors, or in mind, the isolation Earnest Hemingway chose, as many great authors do, to purposely segregate their senses from the world’s pressures and people in order to create. A small part of their writing success was the simple fact they were alone–no children to care for, no interruptions, and no on-the-job stresses, but survival isn’t enough; there has to be a reason to survive. Writing about the why, where, and how, whether as a catharsis, to teach a lesson about surviving humanity’s everyday traumas, or to create stories of joy and hope, the end product is the same—a creative message.
I never under-estimate the power of a person’s creative mind, and have assured each man and woman, who has bravely brought a manuscript to me to be critiqued, “You are a writer.” It is a great beginning. The culmination of taking myriad writing classes to improve, to join with other writers to learn, and to journey forward is to one day earn the privilege of saying, “I am an author.”
Until next time, remember, when alone, one can fill in the empty spaces of life by writing about good and sad memories. Releasing feelings to paper will keep your mind from closing down. Be well. Linda

The gears aren’t turning, otherwise known as writer’s block

By Melinda

May

29

I’ve been working on an acrostic poem. It’s 24 letters long. I was doing splendidly until I came to the second “P”. I came to such a grinding halt that I could almost hear the gears squealing in my brain. And at that letter P is where I stopped. For weeks now I have not written a single thing. Complete and utter writer’s block. After weeks of preparing for the Writer-in-Residence application through the Boston Public Library and upon reaching that utterly annoying second “P”, my writing ability has “poofed” away. I’m lost. I’m struggling. I take sentences and rearrange them. Sometimes I just sit there staring at a blank page.

Well, I was watching “Cake Boss” last night. Buddy (the Cake Boss, for those who aren’t familiar with the show) had to make a vow renewal cake for himself. He was completely lost. He struggled. He put styrofoam cakes this way and that way. Took it apart over and over. Sometimes he just sat there, staring. Much the same as I’ve been doing lately. This happens to everyone, even the best at what they do (ie Buddy). Watching him last night I could totally understand the dejection and frustration on his face. I’m sure it’s been the same look on mine lately anytime Ipick up a pen or sit at the computer, fingers lingering over the keys, typing nothing.

How did he break out of it? He just sat down and said, “I’ve just got to get started and do something.” It’s really as basic as all that. I’m going to get started and do something! Which today is this blog post. And tomorrow I am tackling that second “P”. Now, if I could just have some pastries from Carlos Bakery it might be just a bit easier!

 

Crayons N’ Paint N’ Such

By Linda Bartosik

May

29

 

 

I am pleased and honored to be the newest member of the Cape Cod Children’s Writers.

 

One of the best things about being a member of this group is this blogging section. One of the other members, Jeanne, posted a blog that struck a nerve about something I’ve always felt very strongly about. Please check it out below. Her blog was about picture books for adults, sparked by a question asked by a child. I think you will find it an interesting topic, and one you may have not thought about before.

 

 

As I read her words, images from things I used to contemplate when I was a kindergarten teacher, came to mind. In my 23 years of teaching five year olds, I spent a lot of time in other classrooms in the primary school. The one thing that used to bother me the most was the absence of easels, paint, clay, etc. in first grade classrooms. These children were only six years old and to see them reduced to academia at such an early age made me sad. Their teachers were wonderful. They were some of the brightest and most creative individuals I know, but they also were being crucified by the standards and regulations imposed on our NY schools today. In kindergarten I got “special dispensation” because kindergarten isn’t even required in NYS and you would expect paint, clay, and sand, to be present in a kindergarten classroom. First grade, however, is a different story. The stringent requirements for reading and math, and now science and social studies that must be covered before the end of the first grade year leave precious little time for a six year old to be six during the school day. That always broke my heart.

 

 

As a writer, I spend a lot of time talking to and listening to people and I have come to think that this is also true for most adults. The people I meet have the most interesting stories and amazing talents. When I say to them, “That is an amazing story – you should write that down.” I hear more often than not, “Oh I’m not a writer.” or “I’m not creative enough to write.”

 

 

How sad that makes me feel. Over my 58 years of living I have come to believe that every man, woman, and child is an artist. Everyone has a story. Everyone has something from their creative side to make with their hands, or create with a brush or write with their words or sing with their voice or act on a stage. One thing I learned on my journey these past three years in the arts is that being a writer doesn’t mean you published a book. Being an artist doesn’t mean you have work displayed in an art show. Being a musician doesn’t mean you made a hit record.

 

 

Being an artist is something that lives inside of everyone. It’s a side of us that most people don’t think about, or if they do, they put themselves down with the “I can’t possibly show anyone that” or “tell anyone that” or even be able to write it or create it for their own eyes only.

 

 

It’s interesting that Dr.Phil runs a side bar asking people to write to him under the title of “Dr. Phil, Make Me A Star In My Own Life.” That right there leads me to believe there’s a real need out there for people to be given permission to explore and bring out their creative sides and tell their stories. To be honest, I have to give a bit of credit to Facebook and social media, because these tools have also given people a stage to be on and in some ways many people have begun to see that they can share writing, art, and photos and just maybe they should take that part of themselves a little bit more seriously.

 

 

My artist dates with myself have gone a long way to leading me back to that six year old that so enjoyed the sandbox and the messiness of the paint. So, if you have a story, or even the inkling of even thinking you might have a story, or you took a picture with your iPhone and you think it’s kind of cool – give it chance – put the pen to the paper or click a few more pics outside of the kids and the family gathering. You just might be surprised when the six year old pops out – and the freedom you find in it. Even if you never show anyone or tell anyone – YOU are already a star in your own life and you really don’t need Dr. Phil to tell you so.

 

 

As my writing guru Julia Cameron says:

 

May 25 – The Artist’s Way Everyday

 

“Writing is like breathing. I believe that. I believe we all come into life as writers. We are born with a gift for language and it comes to us within months as we begin to name our world. We all have a sense of ownership, a sense of satisfaction as we name objects we find. Words give us power.”

Where are Your Senses?

By Christina Laurie

May

26

For the past two weeks, I have been on a tour: “The Land of Jesus and the Footsteps of Paul.” Sponsored by Harvest Church in Riverside, CA, the tour focused on Israel and the places Jesus visited, including a boat trip on the Sea of Galilee and communion in the Garden of Gethsemane. The second half was a Mediterranean cruise which stopped at Sicily; Ephesus, Turkey,; and Athens, Corinth and Crete, Greece.
The amazing review of Israel and the first century church inspired me to write a journal describing what I saw, smelled, heard, tasted and touched. It reminded me of how important it is when we write to include those senses in our work. To be told that the dinner was delicious is far outshined by a sentence saying: “The aroma of steamed carrots and baked apples wafted from the kitchen. Alan’s mouth watered.”
When you write, think of what the scene is like. In a street, what does the pavement smell like? Has it rained? Is there a scent of cement? Is it cold? Is there garbage around the corner? Or are you walking past a bakery? It is the scent of something that brings us back to another time or place. Scents are strong reminders of the past.
What about sounds? Standing on a busy street the sound of cars is very different from cars on a country road. A siren in the city bounces off buildings but in the country it disappears in the distance. The cacophony of bird songs in May is very different from the chirping in August.
And feeling again brings a different response. Have you ever compared Oriental rugs? Wool is thick and smooth but silk is soft and slippery. We had the chance to experience the different types of Oriental rugs in Turkey when we visited a factory where they made rugs by hand. The feel of an iris petal is softer than the grass. The salt water and pool water have very different sensual responses on the skin.
Of course we can’t forget sight. What is behind that tree? Inside the house? Under the tarp? What one person sees another may overlook. The author sees all, but chooses to relate only part of what s/he sees.
Taste? Turkey tastes milder than steak. How do they feel on the tongue? Onions are sharp on the side of the tongue. Honey stimulates the front.
All these senses when communicated to the reader bring life and vitality to an otherwise dull story.
Where can you add the senses to create life and excitement in your work?
Creatively,
Christina

EDGARTOWN BOOKS ON MARTHA’S VINEYARD TO REOPEN

By Joan Walsh

May

24

 Edgartown Books on Main Street in Matha’s Vineyard will reopen under new ownership at 9 am on Friday, May 25. Jeffrey and Joyce Sudikoff of Los Angeles closed on the purchase of the business and building.

Mr. Sudikoff was the founder and chief executive officer of IDB Communications Group Inc., and a former part owner of the Los Angeles Kings hockey team. He and his wife own a home in Edgartown, where they have been summer residents since the 1970′s.

The Sudikoffs hired Susan Mercier, the former manager of Edgartown Books, as their new manager.

On behalf of the Cape Cod Children’s Writers, I want to thank  the Sudikoff family for cherishing the needs and wants of all Cape Cod readers and writers.

JOAN

HOLLYWOOD SNAPS UP EBOOK TITLES

By Joan Walsh

May

23

According to the news article by Rachel Abram, ebooks are emerging as a new source of material for Hollywood.

The majors are keeping a close eye on digital bestseller lists and showing a willingness to pay traditional book-rights fees for digital titles — provided they come with built-in brand awareness.

The hunt to option such titles is heating up after a handful of high-profile sales of ebooks, many self-published, including April’s $3 million sale of “50 Shades” to Universal. Observers credit “Shades” with paving the way for subsequent sales of “Wool” and “On the Island,” both of which sold despite the fact that both went straight to Kindles and iPads without going through major publishers.

According to Steve Fisher, a literary agent who represents books-to-films deals, and other buyers are open to ebooks in a way they hadn’t been before.”

But traditional books have a key advantage over their digital counterparts: publishers tend to get into business with known quantities, or properties vouched for by literary agents.

With ebooks, it’s the Wild West when it comes to identifying promising authors and material. Digital books provide no gatekeepers vetting their quality.

According to data from the research firm Publishers Marketplace, film and TV producers bought rights to 209 books last year and 79 so far this year. Very few of those were ebooks, and nearly all sold before they were published.

That means ebooks grab the attention of lit agents only after they start rising on the charts or generate enough word-of-mouth buzz. 

 The New York Times began listing bestselling ebooks in early 2011. Getting discovered is a big challenge for the ebooks that aren’t perched atop the bestseller list. Reps often catch wind of self-published material by looking at the top-sellers lists on Amazon and iTunes.

More and more ebook authors are becoming very savvy at promoting themselves.

 Traditional book rights often fetch between $150,000 to $250,000 — a range that now applies to popular e-fare.

Publishers are cutting back their budgets and depending upon junior execs to bring in material.

Studios employ a book scout in-house, or work with an outside company. Disney, 20th Century Fox and Sony, for example, have a scout on staff, while Warner Bros. and Universal work with outside companies on an exclusive basis.

Bottom line, keep writing what you enjoy, and who knows…

JOAN

 

 

Too old for pictures.

By Jeanne Stewart

May

22

It was crazy morning…as usual, with 16 kindergarteners snaking through the library as I taught them about our oh-so-smart friend Mr. Dewey. 16 little minds trying to figure out why pets are not under the 500’s with all the other animals (“Aren’t pets animals Ms. Stewart?”), but under the 600′s.

One kid could not be bothered. He kept on staring at the “big kid’s books”; the chapter fiction books on the far wall. After redirecting him twice, I finally had a moment to be proactive about his flimsy focus.

Q & A led to a remarkable comeback:

“Ms. Stewart, where are the picture books for big kids?”

HMMMMMMMMMM………….

Yes, this is a blog for children’s lit. But as a wana-be children’s author illustrator can I ask what should be a fundamental question: WHERE ARE THE PICTURE BOOKS FOR GROWN-UPS!?!

Everyone knows the strength of a visual. It bridges the gaps between all the world’s languages. It evens out the tremendous fissures between those who can read, and those who can’t. It can bring you to tears in a second or make you scream with hilarity. We all have deeply fond memories of that one special picture book we had read over and over and over… and over.

So then 2/3rd grade rolls around and suddenly you are supposed to start the trip of growing up. Less and less pictures. More and more relying on your own mind. Luckily for me, my mind’s more vivid than Technicolor, more layered than the earth’s crust and more active than the US Olympic team. But what about our non-reading grown-ups or  those dull of imagination? Audiobooks? A few syfy graphic novels? Shunning  all books and becoming a TV zombie?

Is it too late to go back to childhood?

Or is there a way in this multi- answer techno world of ours of creating picture books for grown-ups. Adam Mansbach’s verses in Go the F&*^ to sleep  is a start. A  touchy, contentious one.  An adult book, with a kiddy kink. But what I want, wish fo,r wonder about is a an adult book, with an adult theme and ….pictures. Not a book with a few pictures. A book where the words cannot do without the images and the images cannot do without the words.

A true PICTURE BOOK.

…PLEASE?

MY MEMORIES OF GERMANY

By Joan Walsh

May

20

A two week auto trip from one end of Germany to the other.                                                                             check

Writing material purchased at Dachau for my novel research.                                                                  check

Architectual beauty, fields of flowers, forest, lakes, castles, alps, churches

                                                        check

Thank God the Weight Watcher angel spoke only German, so I was able to ignored her completely.                                    check

Every meal was a delightful experience, indoors, as well as those of outdoor café style.                                               check

That said, what will I remember and cherish most?

I’ll remember Judy, Shirl, and Kiwi; the best of friends, who surrounded me with laugher day and night for two solid weeks, my friend Lois and her sister Marie for making the lovely gifts to bring to Nadja’s baby Bruno, I’ll remember Nadja arriving in the USA and living at my home when she came to Woods Hole to do scientific research. I’ll remember how sad I felt when she returned to Germany, because she became like a daughter to me, I’ll remember Roberto Bruno’s daddy, Nadja’s mom and dad, and Nadja’s aunt and uncle. I’ll remember the most heartfelt greeting we received when we first arrived at the roadside ramp off the highway; Nadja’s sweet German family of six, waving the American Flag at us. I’ll remember the good luck booties Nadja’s mother, Matina, gave me, so that I too may become a GRAMMY some fine day, and I’ll remember leaving Nadja’s town on Mother’s Day, as the hotel clerk handed me what I thought was a bill, but it was a Mother’s Day picture card of Nadja and her beautiful baby Bruno. The card said Happy Mother’s Day from your German daughter. Memories yes!. I shed tears of happiness about this trip of a lifetime with people I love, and this is what I’ll remember.

People come into our lives for a reason, and I never question why, I just thank God.

JOAN

Feeling A Story

By Linda Williams

May

17

Greetings;
The next time writers’ block descends, sit back in your chair, close your eyes, and let your arms hang . Wiggle your fingers, rotate your head all around, and then squeeze your upper arms. (Everyone needs a hug, especially when alone, and it’s good for circulation.) Then, when you feel more relaxed, think back to a summer morning when you were young and the day was brand new—an empty slate waiting for your own special story to appear. A clean scent wafts through the air from an early morning rain, and the sun has decided to shine its warmth on you all day as it ambles across a clear, cobalt sky. Whether you have woken to a country or a city morning presents a much different range of feelings, not only because of setting, but because the slate is filling with what you know and your feelings are unique. Now, remember what you liked best about such a morning and how it made you feel. When choosing to find a friend to play with, who would it be and why? Where might you go together in search of adventure? If no one is around, what might you do for fun on your own? As you remember, a new children’s story is germinating because the “Who, What, Where, When, and How” are basic elements of every good story, and most importantly, you will be writing about what you know.
Dialogue is another essential element for it makes a story come alive. Without conversation, what is written on the slate presents only a telling exercise. Dialogue can SHOW a whole range of feelings from anger and despair to excitement and hope. What is said to a friend differs from what is said to one, who instigates anger, cruelty, jealousy, and other negative feelings, which make up conflict. (One can’t write a convincing story without conflict.)
When we were young, there was always conflict, and whether it taught us inner strength or how to hate often depended on our role models. Those models were not only our parents, but the friends we chose. The “why” of a young child’s reasoning presents many avenues of thought. Without getting too involved with heredity or environment, the cause and effect consideration, one can still think about what it felt like to be a child. (Child psychology classes taught me that the child, who once was me, is still alive within and wants to help write my children’s stories.)
So, sit back, clear your mind, and remember the child, who was you. Then fill your slate with a new story. If the memory is sad, it will be a catharsis in itself. (An inexpensive way to unearth childhood sadness and release them.) If it’s a happy, fun memory, remembering will be a joyful experience, and one can’t have too many of those.
Until next time, allow the child in you to write a story. Be well. Linda

A Weekend with Creative Women

By Christina Laurie

May

7

Last weekend I spent in Washington, DC, with some 90 Pen Women from all over the country. The experience was most stimulating and exciting. In addition to being elected third national vice president of the National League of American Pen Women, I won three poetry prizes, a first, a third and an honorable mention. Consequently, I was invited to read at the Library of Congress on Thursday afternoon, April 19, with two state poet laureates (Delaware and Alabama) and two national book award nominees. I certainly felt humbled!
One of the things I love about Pen Women, of which I have been a member for 47 years, is the continual learning I am acquiring with each branch or national meeting or board meeting. A gathering of professional women artists, writers and musicians, the Pen Women is the oldest women’s professional organization in the world, being founded in 1897. Our headquarters is in the Dupont Circle area of DC in a four-story brownstone which is a museum in itself. It’s a mere four blocks from the White House!
I continually learn from the workshops, meetings, and casual conversations that I am privileged to experience both in our Cape Cod Branch and nationally. Women who may be younger than I but who have been professionals longer have advice from how to promote myself, to crafting my writing, to public speaking, to finding agents or venues for publication and so much more. The professional web site, www.AmericanPenWomen.org or www.NLAPW.org , is full of information on webinars, contests, poetry, news, reviews, and much more.
At the biennial, held in the very central L’Enfant Plaza Hotel, we experienced beautifully professional concerts, lectures, seminars, workshops, panels and videos. If you look at the web site and click on “biennial”, you will see a smattering of what we were treated to for four days.
Creatively,
Christina

Cape Cod Writers Annual Conference

By Linda Williams

May

4

Greetings;
The Cape Cod Writers Center will celebrate fifty years of a literary tradition at the annual writers’ conference beginning on Sunday afternoon, August 5, with a welcoming reception from 4-5:30. It will be held in their new location, the Resort and Conference Center of Hyannis, located at 35 Scudder Avenue. For directions or to make hotel reservations at a special conference rate, call 1-800-828-8259.
On Sunday evening from 6-7:30 attending members will be introduced to the faculty and guest of honor, the Honorable Theresa Murray, President of the Massachusetts Senate. The conference officially opens on Monday morning with classes beginning at 8:30 and running until 5:30 followed by a dinner. Programs are scheduled each evening from 7-9. The conference will run through Friday, August 10.
Monday night’s speaker, Joseph Finder, is a New York Times bestselling author of ten novels whom the Boston Globe has called a “master of the modern thriller.”
Tuesday night’s speaker, Amy Caldwell, is an Executive Editor of Beacon Press, who works on literary non-fiction in a variety of forms and subjects to scholarly cross-over. She has edited such notable authors as E.J.Graff, Stephen Puelo, Marty Moran, and Eboo Patel, whose memoir ACTS OF FAITH won the Grawemeyer Award in religion.
Wednesday night’s speaker, Andre Dubois III , is a New York Times bestselling author of five books, who won the “Editors Choice” for his memoir, TOWNIE, which is listed as one of the “Top Non-fiction books for 2011.”
This year’s conference faculty includes a screenwriter, poet, humorist, book doctors, fiction and non-fiction authors, including crime and dark literary fiction authors. Also offered are courses in how to overcome procrastination, how to understand the e-book explosion, creating networks and websites, and writing for film and theatre. No educational stone has been left unturned for this special, fiftieth year celebration.
There will be seven agents available for critiquing manuscripts—first ten pages. They are listed in the program booklet for availability. The cost is $150 for an hour session.
Each year, the conference also features a Young Writers Workshop for poetry and prose, with its own specialized faculty, which takes place during the week of the conference. The event is held at the Barnstable Intermediate School for approximately 45 young people, ages 12-17. Entrants are selected through submissions judged by a committee of writers
To obtain a conference booklet and/or registration form, contact the Cape Cod Writers Center at www.capecodwriterscenter.org. The center is located in Osterville, MA 02655. (P.O.Box 408)
Whether you are a new or seasoned writer, this conference is one not-to-be-missed.
Until next time, be well. Linda

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