Friday, April 30, 2010

NaPiBoWriWee - Day 1!

Success!!!!

Thanks to Paula Yoo's challenge NaPiBoWriWee 2010, I have just written my first children's picture book. What's more, I did it in 40 minutes! Is this a good sign or a bad sign?? I take it as a sign that someone was smiling down on me, because 40 minutes is about all I have to spare today. Trying to catch up on sleep, caring for kiddy winks, going to a birthday party and going out tonight - I was seriously worried that I would not meet my challenge on the first day. As it turns out, I have nailed it - before lunch time!! What a great feeling.

A couple of nights ago, I thought I would try my hand at oral story telling with my 3 year old son, Heath. I had never really done it before. I was surprised at how easily the first story unfolded, and he was enthralled. In fact, our fictional friend Fishy McGoo (hey, the name just sprang from my lips, ok?!) has been spoken about frequently ever since!

So after seeing how easily and how quickly a story can happen when you're put on the spot, I decided to use this strategy during NaPiBoWriWee! I'm going to craft all of my first drafts this way and then transcribe them. That's precisely what I just did for my first book, currently entitled "A Puppy That I Love".

The idea for this book came to me as I was drifting off to sleep the other night. As is the case with NaPiBoWriWee, the month of April is to be spent brain-storming, researching, outlining etc. I can tell you now, there was very little time to spare with a 7 month old who thinks sleep is for the weak and a 3 year old who feels exactly the same! Sigh...

Nevertheless, I have one success story! It went really well and I can't wait to write my next one tomorrow. I hope I'm lucky again.

* I just realized that my post says 30th April but honestly, I haven't cheated! It's after lunch time on the 1st May here in Perth, Australia!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

A Twist in the Tale of My Life!

I don't know exactly how to put this.

I want to be...

errr...

I'm going to be ...

ahem...

"I . AM . A . WRITER!"

Yuh-huh! That's what I am (among other things).
I have always felt like one. But from now on I plan on acting like one - by writing!

Tonight I am a very tired writer, since I have been moonlighting as a mother :) Anyway I just wanted to quickly let you know that my creative kick start is to be found at Paula Yoo's website www.paulayoo.com. I will be participating in NaPiBoWriWee 2010, which is a challenge to write 7 picture books in 7 days (May 1-7). I am absolutely thrilled that I stumbled across Paula's website via the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators website www.scbwi.org. It's a great opportunity, perfect timing and a chance to put pen to paper in a serious way. With a bit of luck I'll be headed to the SCBWI conference in LA this July/August with 7 little drafts for picture books in my hand. How exciting!

For the past week I have been scribbling and scrawling a bunch of words that may or may not help me to write my first books. It feels like a big emptying of the mind. I have often thought about writing a children's book but never actually started one. I can tell you, I am quickly realising just how involved it is. I have NO IDEA how I'm supposed to write one per day in May, but I am busily brainstorming and will try my very best.

For now, I bid you goodnight. Time to empty the cache and reboot.