PASSION FOR PICTURE BOOKS, LEE WARDLAW, Author Interview

     Facebook is an amazing tool when you make so many connections with other writers and illustrators who share the same passion.  I can't remember who contacted the other first as Lee Wardlaw's newest book is appearing simultaneously on my "other" blog, Book Wisdom By Diane.   Years ago, I first learned about Lee as a one of the " Fairy God-Sisters" that help a newer writer who wants to attend the summer SCBWI conference.  This week, it is my honor to support and share award winning author, Lee Wardlaw on 
PASSION FOR PICTURE BOOKS.


Lee, welcome and please tell us what pulled you down the rabbit hole of writing picture books ?

     The short answer?  Naiveté!  I assumed that because picture books were short, they’d be easy to write. (Insert hysterical laughter here.)  Little did I know that good writing means making it look easy…

The long answer:  In the late 1970’s, when I’d first earned my B.A. in Education and my teaching credential, jobs at the elementary level were rare.  So I ended up working for two years as the director/head teacher of a pre-school .  The school didn’t have much money, so to supplement our meager library I wrote stories to share with the children. They were awful!  (The stories, not the children!) Everything you could possibly do wrong in creating a picture book, I unknowingly did with gusto.

One of the first picture book manuscripts I wrote was called The Smallest Square.  It told the tale of five squares that live one inside of the other.  The baby square yearns to be free of his claustrophobic existence, so he changes himself into different shapes in order to escape:  first a circle to roll himself out (which doesn’t work)…next a rectangle to muscle his way out (ditto)…and, finally, a triangle, breaking free at last with his new pointy head. Then he turns into a circle again and rolls off to see the world.

Riveting, right?  J  The story was derivative of Shel Silverstein’s The Missing Piece – but without his wisdom, wit, talent, voice and clever illustrations. I got so many form rejection letters on that manuscript (and many others like it), that I gave up on picture books and started writing stuff for older readers.  I published eight other books (YA novels, non-fiction and first chapter books) before I got up the nerve to try my hand again at picture books.

When you are writing a pb manuscript, what area of the story do you get the most satisfaction in developing and exploring? 

     Mem Fox, the award-winning, Australian children’s book author, http://www.memfox.net once said that writing a picture book is like writing War and Peace – in haiku.  

True!  A good picture book contains all the same elements as a novel for adults, such as:

     -an opening that grabs and pulls in the reader;

     -three-dimensional characters whom you care about and root for;

-a vital conflict that has serious consequences if not resolved by the main characters;  

-a logical plot line;

-suspenseful pace;

-a fresh, unique voice;

-sparkling dialogue;

-rhythmic, expressive, evocative  language;

-and a satisfying conclusion.  

Whew!

The main difference between these two forms of literature is that a picture book story must be told in a way that is appropriate for the physical, psychological and emotional development of the child. Tricky!

I enjoy that challenge. So although it’s always a treat to create characters I’d like to meet in real life, to express their authentic voices, to give them the opportunity to solve their own conflicts, etc., etc., what I find most satisfying about writing picture books is the distillation process:  taking a big story and honing it to its essence.

Lee is there any part of writing a picture book that you find frustrating or difficult to develop?

     Thinking visually.  A picture book needs to have a minimum of 13 different illustratable scenes.  I tend to be better at creating dialogue than action, and dialogue is difficult for an artist to illustrate.  So I spend a lot of time revising my manuscripts to create more action.

If you could choose one pb author, author/illustrator, or illustrator to spend a day with, who would that be and what would you want to receive from your time with them?  
     I love funny, quirky picture books with heart, such as Officer Buckle and Gloria, (Peggy Rathmann); Martha Speaks (Susan Meddaugh); Benjamin and Tulip (Rosemary Wells); Bootsie Barker Bites (Barbara Bottner); Zelda and Ivy (Laura McGee Kvasnosky).  The master of this genre was the author/illustrator James Marshall (who also wrote as Edward Marshall).  His simple line drawings – in books such as George and Martha, The Stupids, Fox Outfoxed, etc. – could bring me to my knees with spasms of silliness and giggles.  As for what I would want from him?  Just to sit quietly in a corner and watch him work…

Lee, I have one last question.  Do you have a favorite picture book you never tire of?


     OH, my. There are so many of them!  So I'll pick the one that springs to mind first:  Officer Buckle and Gloria written/illustrated by Peggy Rathmann.

The story is hilarious, the pictures (and the story THEY tell) are even more so.  Too, there are many tidbits in each picture, that you discover new things

each time you read it.  A picture book has to be able to stand up to a minimum of 500 readings aloud, and this is one I never, ever tire of!

     Lee, thank you for taking time to participate in two blogs timed near a book launch and a vacation.  I look forward to seeing your published list continue to grow & grow.

Won Ton by Lee Wardlaw

      Lee Wardlaw’s first spoken word was ‘kitty’. Since then, she’s shared her home with more than two-dozen cats (not all at the same time!) and written more than two-dozen, award-winning books for young readers, including Won Ton – A Cat Tale Told in Haiku (Holt; illustrated by Eugene Yelchin), winner of the 2012 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award and many other honors.

     Lee has a B.A. in education, and taught school for five years before deciding to write full-time. She recently received her AMI Primary Diploma from the Montessori Institute of San Diego, and will earn her M.Ed. from Loyola University, Maryland, in 2013. She still enjoys teaching, and presents a variety of lively programs each year for students, educators, librarians, parents and writers at schools, workshops, and conferences.

Red, White, and Boom! by Lee Wardlaw

Lee’s books have been honored by the American Library Association, the International Reading Association, the National Council of Teachers of English, the International School Librarians Association, and more. She is an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, the Authors Guild, the California Reading Association and, yes, even the Cat Writers’ Association!

     Lee lives in Santa Barbara, CA with her husband, teenaged son, and three former shelter cats. Her newest book Red, White and Boom! (Holt; illustrated by Huy Voun Lee), celebrates the many cultures and traditions that make America’s birthday BOOM!

For more info about Lee and her books, visit: www.leewardlaw.com

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/leewardlaw

PASSION FOR PICTURE BOOKS, INTERVIEW DIANE KRESS HOWER

SURPRISE!  Barbara Bockman interviewed me on her site  Diane's Interview.  Please feel free to leap on over, check it out and leave a comment.  Thanks!

Passion for Picture Books, Mark Ceilley, Interview

This week I am excited to introduce Mark Ceilley,  another long-term Pens and Brushes member.  Mark just completed a MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults.  Mark has always been a very strong critique group member and given excellent feedback.  I have watched him continue to grow with each of his critiques over the course of his education.  In addition, Mark has a long career in  elementary education.  His passion for children's literature comes through on many levels.  I am proud to have Mark on my blog this week.

Mark what is it that drew you into writing picture books?

I was drawn to picture books when I took a children’s literature class in college.  I had an enthusiastic professor who loved children’s books.  I was introduced to many wonderful books and authors.  Later when I taught elementary school, I grew to love picture books and appreciate the form with its rhyme, rhythm, language, humor and extraordinary illustrations.  Eventually I took writing classes and began writing my own picture books.

When you are writing a manuscript is there a particular area that you get satisfaction in developing and exploring?

I get satisfaction from writing a rough draft, from the very first idea, all the way to the last sentence of a story.  I also enjoy the revision process where I can change the story around, add, delete, etc. until I have a story that is written well enough to take to my writer’s group.  After my writer’s group gives me feedback, I like editing and revising again by incorporating their suggestions.

Mark is there any part that is frustrating or difficult to develop?

Sometimes writing the first draft is frustrating for me.  I’ve often had what I think is a great idea, but once I start writing; I can’t get much further than a few sentences.  The frustration escalates when I can’t figure out what to do next and I end up with an unfinished story.  When that happens, I let the story sit for a while, go on to another idea, and create a new story.

If you could choose one pb author to spend a day with, who would that be and what would you want to receive from your time with them?

I’d choose to spend a day with Mem Fox.  I admire her writing and the many books she’s written for children.  I think she is a master when it comes to picture books.  I would learn all I could from: rhyming, use of language, simplicity of words, revision and anything else she could teach me about how to write picture books.

I am curious Mark, what was your favorite picture book as a child?

I enjoyed reading The Pokey Little Puppy.  My grandmother had a copy at her house and when I’d visit I’d reread it over and over again.  I also loved Dr. Seuss.  (The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham.)


Mark, I really appreciate you being on my blog, Passion for Picture Books.  Your presence in our group is a tremendous asset with your writing skills, and your background.  Your willingness to share the knowledge that you have gained in your Masters program has been very generous.  Thank You!

Mark is a teacher and writer.  He has taught elementary school for 20+ years.  His story, Jackson, Jackson, Make Up Your Mind was published in Spider magazine in July/Aug. 2009.  Mark has an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University.  In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, yoga, gardening, swimming, cooking, movies, and meeting friends for lunch.  To find more out about Mark, visit his website at Mark Ceilley . 

Passion for Picture Books, Priya Iyengar, Interview

I remember the day when emails passed in cyberspace and a relationship was born that would change my writing career forever.   It was the day that the Founder of Pens & Brushes, Priya Iyengar connected with me about forming an online critique group.  From that moment, Priya meaning beloved in Sanskrit, put out love to individuals who had no clue where  this diverse group was going.  Priya’s passion to bring forth this group was key.  Priya is our cheerleader and a storyteller from a land where the culture is steeped in story and celebration.  Those are a few of the nuggets of gold which she has given to this group.  It is with pleasure to have Priya on my blog this week.

Priya what brought you into the world of writing picture books?

As a reader and a writer, I have been always fascinated by Picture books and aimed to write at least one.  Picture books are the doors that open to a world of dream, fascination, emotions, reality, and knowledge.  The best part of writing a PB is sometimes less is more.  No doubt, it’s a difficult art to master.  But, all you need are  thoughts  and  to learn how to string those thoughts together.

Can you please share the area of the story making that you get the most satisfaction in developing and exploring?

I love colors and I’m a devotee of nature. My area of satisfaction is setting, theme, character, story, point of view in that order. Whenever I have a plot lingering in my mind, I first think of a suitable place for my idea to match, and then create a theme that will gel well with my setting. Later I mix and match the other factors to decide and finalize the point of view and tense.  Climax is another area that gives me more satisfaction.

For me, an ending that dovetails with all my above factors and culminates into an unimaginable or striking climax gives immense satisfaction.

Priya is there an area you find the most frustrating or difficult to develop?

There are three, dialogue, point of view, and tense. These are like step-siblings that  give me a hard time to come together. I save this part as a last task to battle with.  It’s like, in a test, attempting all the easy and known questions first and leaving the trying ones for the last to arm-wrestle. So far this pattern has worked well for me.

If you could choose one pb author to spend a day with, who would that be and what would you want to receive from your time with them? 

I would choose SCBWI Founder, Sue Alexander. I like her style of writing. Her story telling makes me laugh, cry, and amaze me.  I wish I would have had an opportunity to be her student and learn some of her skills.

Priya, what was your favorite picture book as a child or your favorite one to read aloud as an adult?

My all time favorite is Sue Alexander’s, One more time, Mama. But I don’t want to miss mentioning the literary master piece, Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White.  I can read these books any number of times, at any age.

Priya, I am grateful for all you have given me and our writing family.  I am learning more and more about you and your writing even after being together for so long.  Thank you for sharing.  Namaskaar.

After practicing Corporate and Labor & Employment Law in India, Priya moved to the United States with her husband and daughter. Her daughter was two and the life in Indiana was a different universe for her.  She felt like a human on Neptune.  Priya could not go to work, lived in a new neighborhood, shivering in snow with no sidewalks.  She cooked, cleaned, ate, stared at the frozen pond, and read stories to her baby.   No matter how helpless, Priya felt, she had her inner writing buddy with her.

As a student in India, Priya wrote a lot but secretly. Any conversation that she couldn’t make with her elders and teachers, any song that she couldn’t sing, any anger that  couldn’t be vented , any toy that Priya couldn’t play with became a story that jumped onto her notebook. Her biggest regret is that she could not save the notebook of stories.

Priya’s new life opened an avenue for her to pursue her passion.  She started writing stories for her daughter. Priya took a writing course at the Institute of Children’s Literature and continued her journey as a writer with published articles in newspapers, cultural magazines,  and e-zines. Since moving to California, the world became wider for her. Priya has taught creative writing to children at summer camps and from her home. Priya has two picture books in pipeline and several articles on her desk going through revisions.

In addition, Priya is an ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) professional. She enjoy both her roles - a writer and a problem solver.  

You can read Priya’s blog at Priya's Blog

Passion for Picture Books, Tina M. Cho, Interview

This week I am excited to shine the spot light on Tina Cho.  Tina has been a long-time Pens and Brushes member and never misses a beat.  In 2010, she  moved from Southern California to South Korea.  During this time frame, she never missed a critique.  Her dedication to her family and her writing are nothing short of admirable.  Tina has taught kindergarten and has two beautiful children.  Those experiences have deeply enriched the feedback we get as members.


Tina, what drew you into writing picture books?

I fell in love with picture books during my years teaching elementary. I really like the books that leave me with an “ahh” Ymoment at the end. As a teacher, I couldn’t wait to get the Scholastic Book Orders so that I could order discounted or free picture books! I’ve always thought it would be neat to write one, but I never tried until 2008. That’s when I researched how to write for children, joined a critique group, and learned the craft of writing. So having a picture book with my name on it is my dream---to leave a legacy for my children.

 Tina is there an area of the story that you get satisfaction in developing and exploring?

After I get a great idea, I enjoy putting together the story arc using a template. I feel I write better if I’ve plotted the storyline first. I like to see how everything fits together.

Is there an area that is frustrating or difficult to develop? Endings are hard for me to create. An ending must bring satisfaction, a hint of surprise, perhaps a twist, and beg the reader for repeated readings. Therefore, it must be carefully planned.

Tina, if you could choose one pb author or  author/illustrator to spend a day with, who would that be and what would you want to receive from your time with them?

As a teacher I fell in love with Jan Brett’s books, illustrations, and how she always visited the country her book was about. I’d love to visit her studio and see how she puts together her books.

Finally, what was your favorite picture book as a child?

One of my favorite picture books that I still have is Little Rabbit’s Loose Tooth by Lucy Bates. I think I liked it because the rabbit was creative with her loose tooth, and all kids like reading books about their loose teeth. My favorite ones to read to my kids are Skippyjon Jones books, Fancy Nancy books, Gingerbread Man books, and a new author I discovered Oliver Jeffers and his books like Lost and Found. His earlier ones about the penguin and boy are so perfect for my son. Isaac sleeps with a stuffed animal penguin. The books I chose have great voice or heart.




Tina, Thank you for joining me on this blog, Passion for Picture Books.  It has been such a pleasure to have you in the group and watch your writing career take off.  You bring such a supportive positive attitude to our group and our lives.  I am very grateful for you in so many ways.

Tina M. Cho is an author of 20 beginning readers or guided reading books from Lakeshore Learning and Compass Media. Her latest published project, “5 Minute Filler Teaching Cards for Grades 3/4 and 1/2” came out February 2012, from Lakeshore Learning. Tina is currently writing two nonfiction books for girls for Legacy Press/Rainbow Publishers. She also rewrites and edits for Mirae Publishing, a publisher of English language textbooks in Korea. She has written other stories and articles for children and teachers which are listed on her blog. Tina is participating in the 12x12 in 2012 challenge, writing 12 picture book manuscripts in 12 months, headed by Julie Hedlund.

Tina is a former elementary teacher and currently homeschools her two children, Anna, a 4^th grader, and Isaac, a 1^st grader. She and husband Jackey live outside of Seoul, Korea. Tina grew up in Iowa and has lived in Virginia, Arizona, and California. When she’s not teaching or writing, she likes to scrapbook, play piano, read, shop, and attend Bible studies.

You can follow Tina on Facebook 


and read her blogs at: 


Tina's Tidbits: A Writer, Teacher, & Mother's Heart



Educational blog


Devotional blog

Passion for Picture Books, Barbara Bockman, Interview

This week, I am honored to introduce a newer member to Pens and Brushes, Barbara Bockman.  Barbara brought her Masters Degree in English with a great deal of modesty and her love of animals to our group.  With all of her experience in writing, she under plays her abilities and makes us feel like equals.  

Barbara, how did you decide that you would start to write picture books?

I am drawn to picture books because of the two elements that make them up: words and pictures. The story of a pb should be as meticulously written as a hundred thousand word novel and can be just as satisfying. I enjoy the challenge of attempting to say what I want to in as few words as possible. At this point, I’m a work in progress. The art -work of picture books is as varied as the number of artists. I hope I will always be happy with the illustrator my publishers choose for my stories. The hard part of writing picture books is in providing the illustrator with ideas so he can contribute his equal share in the collaboration.

Is there an area of the story that gives you the most satisfaction in developing and exploring?

I think conflict is the area of the story that I get the most satisfaction in developing. It wasn’t always like that. When I started writing for children, I wanted everything to be comfortable and sweet.  I think one of the best pieces of writing advice I got was, “a situation does not a story make.” Now when I think of a situation I want to develop into a story, I work on creating some conflict that will propel the plot to the “sweet” ending I want.

Is there any particular area that you find the frustrating or difficult to develop?

I’m never sure that I have fleshed out my characters enough and that is frustrating. It’s not that I don’t know them. It’s probably because I know them so well that I take a lot for granted and assume the reader can read-between the lines.

Barbara, if you could choose a pb author to spend a day with, who would that be and what would you want to receive from your time with them? 

I would love to spend the day with Maj Lindman, the author of the Snipp, Snapp, and Snurr books and the Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka books. I remember one story in particular when the boys fell into a vat of chocolate and were covered in chocolate batter (or maybe it was gingerbread).  The stories are funny and sweet and have heart. Of course, as I do not speak Swedish, I might have a hard time communicating with Ms. Lindman.

What was your favorite picture book as a child?

My favorite books when I was very young were the Raggedy Ann and Andy books. I think it might have been because I had the dolls and enjoyed playing with them.  The books were very colorful and the plots of the stories were not too complicated. And I loved the titles of the books: The Camel with the Wrinkled Knees, Betsy Bonnet String, Beloved Belinda. These books might have been the source of my appreciation for language and word play.


Barbara, thank you for joining me on my blog.  You quickly engaged with the group and despite your busy schedule with book releases and signings manage to be present for each member and all of our weekly exchanges.  You model great finesse as a busy author for all of us in Pens and Brushes. 

Here is a little more about Barbara:

Barbara was married for 38 years to the most wonderful man she ever knew. He was a Lt. Colonel in the Army. They lived in various places, such as Japan, Germany, Virginia, Kansas, and West Point. Besides their daughter and son, her husband had a daughter and son by a previous marriage. Altogether she has eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Barbara taught elementary school for several years and then completed a Masters Degree in English, She taught English at Pensacola Junior College in Florida.  Barbara enjoys crocheting and needlepoint as well as gardening for butterflies. Her house is over-run with books, especially books for children.

To learn more about Barbara you can go to her website at : Barbara Bockman

You can purchase her book wounds at: Muse It Up Publishing

Her book Fantastic Flight can be purchased at: Guardian Angel Publishing

Passion for Picture Books - Evelyn Christensen, Interview

This week, I have the pleasure to introduce Evelyn Christensen who is an award winning author and puzzle creator extraordinaire.  Ev is another long-term Pens and Brushes member.  As a member she provides us with a keen eye for detail and grammar.  She always has great suggestions for potential publishers.  Ev's website has the most comprehensive  information on educational publishing a writer can find.
Evelyn's Educational Market Information  


Ev, what drew you in to writing picture books for children?

I write picture books because I love little children.  When I started out my teaching career I first taught high school math. I then got my doctorate and planned to teach math methods to pre-service teachers, but I thought it would be good to have some elementary school experience before I tried to tell  prospective elementary teachers how to teach.  I ended up falling in love with teaching the little ones, and that’s what I did the rest of my teaching career.  Having three little ones of my own also helped. Reading to children and helping them discover the joy of learning to read themselves are two of the most rewarding things I know.  Writing picture books has become, for me, one more part of that enchanting world of children’s books.

The art part of picture books just adds to the attraction for me.  I’ve always loved art—took a couple of studio courses in college and a couple of art history courses.  I don’t consider myself a professional artist, but I did do the illustrations (just simple line drawings) for three of my published puzzle books.

In writing your manuscripts, what area do you get the most satisfaction in developing and exploring? 

I enjoy developing and exploring character most.  Because picture books are so limited in word count, much of that developing and exploring may never show up in the final text, but my characters are very real to me.

Is there an area you find challenging?

I have the most difficulty in developing story arc and plot.  I have a tendency to write manuscripts that are ‘listy.’  A lot of picture books by other authors, which I like, are also listy, so I don’t personally see a problem with that kind of book, but I’ve heard lots of negative remarks about listy manuscripts from editors and agents.  It’s an area of my writing that I’m working on and trying to improve.

If you could choose one pb author to spend a day with, who would that be and what would you want to receive from your time with them? 

I’ve thought long and hard about my response to this question.  I know you’re expecting me to choose someone famous, but I’m going to be perfectly honest and admit that I would be intimidated to spend a day with someone famous I didn’t already have a personal relationship with.  If I could choose just one pb author to spend the day with, I would choose my very dear friend Mirka Breen.  Mirka is a wonderful writer, and I love her pb stories.  She and I have known each other for four and a half years and been through a lot together, but it’s all been by email; we’ve never met.  So I would love to spend the day with her.  The experience would bring me great joy and inspiration, because Mirka is that kind of person, and I would feel free to pick her very knowledgeable brain about any aspects of pb writing and subbing which I haven’t already bugged her about.

Ev, what is your favorite picture book to read and why do you never tire of the book?

I can’t choose ‘ a favorite’ when it comes to books, any more than I can choose a favorite when it comes to children, but I’ll tell you one of my favorites, as an adult, to read aloud to children.  This will seem very unoriginal, but I truly have always delighted in reading The Cat in the Hat.  I read it so many times to my own children that I practically had it memorized.  It is simply fun to read!  The flow of the language, the rhyming, the rhythm, plus the delightful juxtaposition of the serious-minded fish with the radically fun Cat—it is all a superbly delightful way to entertain a child.



Thank you Ev for joining me on my blog post, Passion for Picture Books.  I appreciate your support in my life and my writing.  Your gentleness in pointing out subtleties or being gently frank with me when I am traveling in my creative head always bring me back down to earth.  I count on you.  You are the grounding for Pens and Brushes.

Ev loves writing picture books, but she also loves creating resources to make learning fun for kids.  Forty-one of her educational puzzle books have been published, with total sales of over 350,000.  Since many of those book sales have been to teachers for use in classrooms, Ev feels good about the number of children whose lives have been touched by her books.

Her Inchimals, a write-on/wipe-off math book with accompanying animal number rods, has won a Teachers’ Choice Award, a NAPPA Gold, and a Creative Child Award.  Aba-Conundrums, Ev’s puzzle book based on the abacus, has won a Parents’ Choice Award and a Creative Child Award.  Her most recent book, published in 2011, is Coin Clues: Making Change, a set of puzzles that give children practice with money and logic.

Ev currently lives in Lexington, Kentucky, with her husband Ralph, and enjoys doing volunteer work in her church and community.  Some of the things that make her smile are waterfalls, wildflowers, fireworks, rainbows, puzzles, and children.  She’s especially excited about the recent arrival of her first grandbaby! 

You can find Evelyn's books and more information about her at: evelynchristensen.com