SOME FUN THAT IS FUNNY . . .

As an antidote to this ceaseless rain we've been having and my last blog post, here are 6-1/2 THINGS ABOUT WRITING THAT ARE FUN:

1.  Meet my co-workers . . .

2.  And my Secretary of Silliness, Teddy, and his assistant, who was feeling rather sheepish . . .

3.  Some days, I get to work with incredibly talented professionals, like the amazing people at Page Turner Adventures.  And they create a video that includes:  a rapping/dancing hamster, a funky guinea pig, syncronized dancing mice and a hip bubbe . . .  (And it's still work.  Shh.  Don't tell anyone.)

 

4.  Stuck on a YA story idea?  Worry no more!  David Lubar and Dian Curtis Regan have created this hilarious STORY GENERATOR.  (Hurry over and create your next masterpiece.)

5.  Ernie from Sesame Street has written his masterpiece on a typewriter . . .  (Poor Bert.)

6.  And of course, for those having trouble with limericks -- Because who doesn't have a little limerick trouble every now and again? --  there's this video about limericks (written in limericks) . . .

6-1/2.  But the FUNNIEST thing I can share with you -- the thing that inspired me to write this post today -- is this HILARIOUS look at The Publishing Process in GIF Form by Nathan Bransford. Thanks, Nathan, for being a bright spot during a very rainy day!

Now, go be FUNderful . . .

Podcasts for Children's Book Nerds

Since I never seem to have enough time to read everything I want to, I started listening to books in my car.  That led to downloading and listening to podcasts.

I discovered two great ones I'd love to share:

1.  Wordplaypodcast by Nathan Bransford, James Dashner and Jeff Savage.  This podcast comes out weekly.  There is often a fun, fascinating guest, and once a month they create an episode for young writers. 

2.  Author/illustrator, Katie Davis, has been creating her Brain Burps Podcast for some time, so there are a lot of episodes to choose from.  So far, I've listened to Bruce Coville share his experiences in Egypt during the mass protests, Rebecca Stead and Linda Sue Park talk about winning the Newbery and Nancy Werlin share how much she earns annually. 

These podcasts help me learn more about my field while I'm in the car, working out at the gym or simply taking a walk.

Please share your favorite podcast in the comment section. 

New to Use . . .

Yikes! Lots going on at Wild About Words.

1. Thanks to Nathan Bransford for mentioning 6 1/2 Book Promotion Tips by the amazing Cynthia Leitich Smith. And thanks to Cynthia for sharing her expertise!

2. Exciting 6 1/2 Lists are on the horizon. Agent, Tina Wexler from I.C.M. Talent, will be sharing tips. And Paul May shares his funny list about what waiting for "the call" is like for a writer.

3. Hurry! Win a copy of AS IF BEING 12 3/4 ISN'T BAD ENOUGH, MY MOTHER IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT! in paperback from GOODREADS. (Contest expires, um, right this minute.) Or buy a hardback copy for a strangely low price. (Great way to get in good with your kid's teacher this fall -- donate a copy to the classroom library.)

4. Looks like there might be some exciting book news to share soon. But right now -- Shhhh! -- it's a secret.

5. Finally, this sweet girl posted about a billion . . . or maybe a zillion clips on YouTube of her reading HOW TO SURVIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL.

I love this for many reasons.

A. The book is about a boy who creates videos for YouTube, and I'd hoped young readers would connect with that element and be inspired to create their own videos.

B. I can't imagine how much time she spent doing this.

C. She looks like I did at that age, except I didn't wear glasses . . . yet.

D. Check out her fun yellow nail polish!

FOR WRITERS (AND ILLUSTRATORS) ONLY...

"It takes twenty years to become an overnight success," Eddie Cantor said.

Since I sold my first bit of writing -- cryptogram puzzles for $1.50 a piece -- when I was twenty and sold my first novel when I was forty, I can attest to that!

It's a long journey, but a fun one if you love what you do. And it's even more fun when we help each other along the way.

Here are some excellent resources for information, inspiration and a warm, welcoming community:

For Industry News:

• Cynthia Leitich Smith's blog CYNSATIONS. You'll learn much about what's happening in the industry as well as have opportunities to win books.
• Nathan Bransford's BLOG gives tips and hints about successful queries as well as poses questions about all things publishing.
• Arthur A. Levine just started a BLOG with an interesting discussion going on right now.

For Agent Info:

• Verla Kay's MESSAGE BOARD offers a wealth of information about agents and everything else! It's a vibrant and generous community.
• Casey L. McCormick has a series of interviews with agents as well as other links and info. Check out the Q & A she did with my agent, TINA WEXLER from ICM.

For inspiration:

• MIKE JUNG talks about signing with an agent after much patience and persistence.
• STEPHANIE J. BLAKE signed her first book contract after years of close calls.
• ROBIN MELLOM, a third of the Disco Mermaids, talks about the sweet deal negotiated by her agent, JILL CORCORAN, after a long road of writing, revision and rejection.

It happened to them. It happened to me (after half a dozen rejected and UNpublished novels that are sitting in a drawer). It can happen to you!

If you know of any other resources for writers and/or illustrators, please share in the comment section. And if you have any good news, please share that, too!