Monthly Archives: February 2013

Feb24

visiting grand central station “library”

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Inside Grand Central Station

Inside Grand Central Station

Outside Grand Central Station

Outside Grand Central Station

When I arrived in NYC earlier this month, Grand Central Station was kicking off its golden anniversary celebration. After seeing it for myself, there’s no doubt, it’s a marvel worth celebrating.
Yes, it’s an iconic New York landmark that happens to be an architectural beauty (hey, it’s even the world’s number six most visited tourist attraction), but it’s more just another pretty facade.

My hotel was situated over Grand Central, so it was simple to slip down there whenever I got the chance. The writer and storyteller in me was attracted to Grand Central because it’s like a bookless library. Okay, okay, I know that sounds silly. Let me try to explain. Grand Central houses a century full of stories–maybe not the kind recorded in bound volumes–but a million unspoken stories. I think of the people who have met there, cried tears of joy there and some who were left waiting there. I imagine the stories of loved ones who were reunited there and some who have even wed there. If only those beautiful blue ceilings could talk.

What about the “Grand Central Station” in your life? Do you have a favorite people-watching spot? Let the lives passing by you spark new ideas and quirky, authentic details for the stories you write.

I have always loved to sit in ferry and railroad stations and watch the people, to walk on crowded streets, just walk along among the people, and see their faces, to be among people on street cars and trains and boats. – Ella R. Bloor

Feb19

a “highlight” of my writing career

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Lincoln with frogHighlights for Children is the gold standard for children’s magazines. Little wonder I’m thrilled see my article “Sculpting a President” in the February 2013 issue. The article was actually written and sold back in 2008, but it’s been worth the wait to see it in print.

“Sculpting a President” shares the true story of how Michigan sculptor Anthony Frudakis created a larger than life size statue of Abraham Lincoln for the Liberty Walk on the campus of Hillsdale College. How fascinating to learn about Tony’s process starting with in-depth research, then on to sketching, followed by creating miniature versions before finally “building” the actual masterpiece. It’s not unlike the steps a writer takes to first investigate, then brainstorm, and then draft character sketches before attempting to craft a larger piece of work. It takes patience with yourself and with your medium, but when you find joy in that process, it makes it worthwhile.

My thanks to freelance reporter Monetta Harr for sharing Tony’s story (and mine) through the Jackson Citizen Patriot.

It may have taken “four score and seven years” to see this story come to light, but I trust it’s here at the right time in our history. Who knows what young reader may be inspired to follow in Tony’s creative footsteps.

My best friend is a person who will give me a book I have not read.― Abraham Lincoln

Feb14

mmm rejection pie

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Frog and pieWhat do pie and rejection have to with one another? Well, aside from pie’s lovely conciliatory quality . . . read on . . .

Long ago at a writers conference far, far way, I heard an editor offer a delightful and unexpected explanation for why a solid, polished manuscript may be passed over by an editor.

She suggested that we think of the editor as the owner of a bake shop. Imagine the bake shop owner standing in front of a gleaming glass and chrome case filled with the most delectable strawberry pies. A well-meaning, yet witless baker strolls into the shop to sell the owner her wares. She modestly presents a dish of juicy, glistening, flavorful, luscious pastry perfection. Much to her amazement, the owner shakes her head and points to the door. How can this be? the baker wonders. I worked so hard. I refined my recipe. I used only the finest ingredients. Where did I go wrong?

The answer? The baker brought the bake shop owner a strawberry pie. With a case already filled with berry pies, how could the owner buy another, even if it was sublime?

Sometimes that’s what happens with editors and our submissions. It’s not a matter of you sending out rejection-worthy work. It’s just that she doesn’t need another middle grade novel with a shy boy protagonist or an article about Abraham Lincoln or one more collection of zombie bunny haikus. It’s just a matter of timing–supply and demand. You needed to send the right “pie” at just the right time.

So, what can you do to enhance your chances?

You can study a publisher’s catalog before you submit and pay attention to their newest releases, but success with a submission is due, in part, to just plain dumb luck with timing. I say that not to discourage you, but to remind you that rejection isn’t always a reflection of your work. It may be a matter of an overstuffed pie case (so to speak).

Keep refining and polishing your work. When it’s “baked” to the best of your ability, do your homework and submit it to publishing houses that are the best fit. The more you hone your skills and keep submitting, the more timing will be in your favor.

Oh, and have a slice of pie. You deserve it!

I really wish I was less of a thinking man and more of a fool not afraid of rejection. ― Billy Joel

Feb11

my NYC pooh-grimage

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NY Public LibraryNY trip #3NY trip #2NY trip #4NY trip #6NY trip#5After the SCBWI winter conference wrapped up, I still had a wee bit of time before I had to leave for the airport. How could I fill my last hour in the Big Apple? I know! I’ll go on a treasure hunt. Why not?

I headed out the door of the Grand Hyatt on 42nd Street, strolled by Grand Central Station (more about her later–she’s a beauty) and a few New York minutes later I hung a left on 5th Avenue. And there it was. The Treasure Keeper, also known as the New York Public Library. Guarded by two regal, yet amiable lions, I made my way up the stairs, through the revolving door and across the tiled floor. I was a tourist on a mission. I made a honey bee line to the nearest security guard: “Where is the Children’s Section?” I was directed downstairs. A right turn, then a left, and I was in. And there, in its own special glass enclosure were the objects of my desire–the real Winnie the Pooh and his dear little friends Eeyore, Piglet, Kanga and Tigger. How serene and content they seemed, just the way you’d want beloved toys to be. And at nearly 92 years old, they looked as if they still had a little play left in them. Piglet surprised me most. He was so tiny. A true charmer.

I learned that these “real” residents of the Hundred Acre Wood were given as a first-birthday present to Christopher Robin Milne in 1921. Purchased at Harrods in London, Eeyore, Piglet, Kanga and Tigger soon joined Pooh as Christopher’s playmates. The dear friends served as the inspiration for the children’s classics written by his father, A.A. Milne, and illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard. The faithful five journeyed to the United States in 1947, and remained with the American publisher E.P. Dutton until 1987 when they were donated to The New York Public Library.

After spending a weekend immersed in the world of children’s publishing, visiting Pooh was a sweet and fitting way to end my New York visit.

Feb10

repeatable one-liners

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Frog-sit-read

You may noticed that I love a good quote. (G’head. Quote me on that.) The SCBWI national conference in New York was a glistening “quote mine,” thanks to the line-up of stellar authors, illustrators and publishing leaders. What an irresistible opportunity to add to my quote collection.

Allow me to share some of my favorites with you:

“Reinvention is the dark chocolate in the writer’s life.” Author Jane Yolen

“Ultimately, the purpose of storytelling is to remind us of something ordinary or familiar.” Author and Illustrator Shaun Tan

“You may own a story’s copyright, but you do not own its meaning.” Author and Illustrator Mo Willems

“I have absolute faith that stories are essential to childhood and society as a whole.” Author Margaret Peterson Haddix

“Be a filter, not a spigot.” Author and Illustrator Mo Willems

“As writers we validate what it feels like to be a kid.” Editor Molly O’Neill, Katherine Tegan Books/HarperCollins
Oh, okay, here’s another from Mo Willems . . .

“Ideas are not animals to be trapped. Ideas are gardens. Some sprout and some are invasive weeds. You’re always planting, every day.” Mo Willems

Seriously? Alright. Just one “Mo” . . .

“Writing is reductive. Writing should be like a sale at the GAP–it should always be 20 percent off.”

Seems like a good place to stop.

Have a favorite quote? Please pass it along.

[A] quotation is a handy thing to have about, saving one the trouble of thinking for oneself, always a laborious business. – A.A. Milne

(Hey, wait a minute . . . )

Feb5

behold! I bring you tidings of great joy

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Yippie!

Yippie!

Upbeat. Healthy. Incredibly strong.
When was the last time you heard those words associated with children’s publishing?

Sure, you’re skeptical. But I heard those encouraging words with my own ears at the SCBWI national conference in New York just a few days ago. A panel of booksellers, including representatives from some wee little companies you “may” have heard of—Scholastic and Amazon—were asked to share their diagnosis of the current health and well-being of children’s publishing.

Jon Fine of Amazon described ours as a “time of great opportunity.” As books become more accessible through a variety of platforms, he thinks the market is “incredibly strong and getting stronger.”

Scholastic Book Fairs National Sales and Program Manager Bob Brown said he is “very upbeat about what’s happening with children’s publishing.”

Mary Brown, owner of Books, Bytes & Beyond, a children’s specialty bookstore located just outside New York City, described the school and library book markets as “very healthy.”

Lin Oliver, Executive Director of SCBWI, observed that we weren’t hearing comments like these five years ago. It seemed like we’d all turned into Chicken Littles clucking, “The sky is falling.” Or maybe we just got chicken.

But now it appears that the sky is clearing. So, what does this good news mean for you and me?

We need to be upbeat, healthy and incredibly strong ourselves. It means we need to be nimble, flexible and adaptable so that we are ready to take advantage of the new opportunities coming our way.

There’s hope on the horizon. Let’s celebrate by writing and reading and creating!

When a great moment knocks on the door of your life, it is often no louder than the beating of your heart, and it is very easy to miss it. ― Boris Pasternak