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The Carrie On... 2013 Year in Review!

12/31/2013

Thanks to all of our readers and subscribers in 2013! It was a great year, and there are many MORE great guests lined up for 2014. I look forward to helping an awesome community of writers and illustrators reach out and learn. Check back on Tuesday, January 14 for 2014 details. Cheers! And now for the rap:

2013 was a year to say YAY!
The Carrie On... blog was born in May!
Helping writers with prompts on Sat-ur-days!
The summer book clubs brought reading-your-way!
The Mystery Authors were a special treat.
Gudenkauf, Earnhardt, and Debbie Dadey.
Lazar, Czajak, and McAnulty,
LaRochelle, Hedlund McCanna, and Call,
We learned so much and we had a ball.
So what's in store for 2014?
Be sure to subscribe so you won't miss a thing!

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BONUS Mystery Author! Kirsti Call

12/13/2013

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Our guest today is near and dear to my heart. Not only is she my amazing critique partner, but one of the most service-oriented people I have ever met. She has five kids. I repeat: FIVE! I’m not quite sure how she does it all, and still has time to be the most amazing writer and support. She may very well be Super Woman!

I am so thrilled that this day has finally arrived for her! After many months, (I’ll let her tell you how many), her first amazing picture book, The Raindrop Who Couldn’t Fall, is being released this month! Let’s give a warm welcome, and a standing ovation from my end, to... Kirsti Call!

What was the inspiration for your new picture book, The Raindrop Who Couldn’t Fall?

I was at Home Depot, trying to order kitchen cabinets for about 5 hours. I had all five of my kids with me and everyone, including me, felt extremely bored! It was raining outside, so I told the kids a story about a raindrop who couldn't fall. It kept them entertained, so I went home and wrote it down.

How did your background as a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist help you with this book?

I was thinking about learning disabilities when I wrote the story. It's so hard to see other people easily accomplish things that are hard for you to learn. Sometimes you try and try and you still can't succeed without help from others. In my story, Plink needs her grandmother's help in order to succeed.

How long had you been submitting picture books prior to receiving your first publishing contract with Character Publishing?

I started subbing stories almost as soon as I wrote them. The Raindrop Who Couldn't Fall is my second story and I got the contract 6 months after I wrote it. A woman in my critique group had published with Character Publishing, so I submitted to them. It's a blessing that I found the right publisher for the story so quickly.

Were you able to communicate with Lisa M. Griffin, the illustrator of your book, during the editing stages?

Lisa and I never talked about the illustrations until they were completely done. That's when I Facebooked her and told her I thought they were fabulous!

Do you typically use illustration notes in your picture book submissions?

I only use illustration notes if I think they are absolutely necessary...

How long did the publication process take, from contract signing to release date?

2 and 1/2 years.

What is one thing you learned about the publication process during this first book?

I learned to be flexible. When I submitted my story I had backmatter with questions to help kids process and talk about what it feels like to try really hard and still feel like you're failing. Now, the book is less therapeutically focused and more science focused. This works well for the core curriculum, teachers and water cycle enthusiasts!

What has been the most challenging thing for you as a writer? The most rewarding?

Rejection is definitely the most challenging part of being a writer. You just have to have faith that what you're writing is worthwhile, despite dozens of rejections. The most rewarding part of writing is when I read one of my stories to a kid, and they laugh or smile. If my stories help kids want to read, then I'm happy.

What types of support do you utilize as a writer?

Well Carrie, I have you, my phenomenal critique partner! I also have an on-line critique group and an in person critique group. I'm a member of SCBWI, Children's Book Insider, Julie Hedlund's 12x12 forum, and several children's writing facebook groups.

You wear a lot of different hats in life! Mom, wife, therapist, writer, vocalist, …and more! How do you manage your time so well? Do you have a special routine that you utilize that might help other writers?

I don't really have a special routine. When I find a few quiet moments I try to make a conscious decision to write or revise instead of checking e-mail or facebook.

In the last year, I've made writing more of a priority by joining Julie Hedlund's 12x12 challenge, and Tara Lazar'sPiBoIdMo. Just having a community of writers really keeps me motivated to keep writing and submitting. I'm also a regular contributor to Writer's Rumpus, which keeps me thinking about writing for children as less of a luxury and more of a way of life.

I understand you have dedicated a picture book manuscript to each of your kids. What sparked this movement? Do most of your ideas come from your kids?

Almost every single one of my 30 manuscripts was inspired by my kids. Their endless curiosity and creativity helps me create! I'm completely grateful for every single intense little personality in my family.

You are so inspiring, Kirsti! We will look forward to seeing what comes next for you! Thank you for sharing your time with us!

Kirsti Call lives in Andover, MA with her husband and five children. She loves reading, writing, and singing. On sunny days you will find her on the tire swing in her backyard and on rainy days you will find her dancing with her umbrella. Watch her book trailer here. Pre-order her debut picture book, The Raindrop Who Couldn't Fall, here. Check out her website here. You can find Kirsti on twitter @kirsticall, and you tube here.

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December Mystery Author: Stacy McAnulty

12/9/2013

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Ho, ho, ho! Are you ready for the BIG guy? He’s looking a little green this year, and I think he must have eaten a batch of Christmas cookies every day! Oh, wait a minute, that’s not the same ‘ole Santa! It’s Santasaurus, and look at the gift he’s brought us: Children's Author Stacy McAnulty! What is that heavenly scent? It's making me hungry! Sorry, Stacy... I always seem to get sidetracked by food!

Congratulations on your debut picture book, Dear Santasaurus, illustrated by Jef Kaminksy! Did you ever dream that your first picture book would have a Christmas theme?

It’s funny because when I started writing this book I didn’t consider it a Christmas book. Sure, it ends at Christmas time, but the series of letters runs all year long, and they hit on New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, April Fool’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Halloween.

Was there ever a time that you were worried that it might be harder to sell a holiday book?

I found this to be a conflicting opinion. I met an editor at a conference in New York and she said she was always on the look out for new holiday books. Then I submitted to another editor who said holiday books are too hard to sell.

By having your main character, Ernest B. Spinosaurus write letters to Santasaurus, you managed to keep a picture book audience’s attention for the span of an entire year! How did you come up with such a creative and fun idea?

I feel like Ernest came up with the idea. He’s a clever little guy who knows what he wants. Why wait until December to write Santasaurus? Ernest felt his odds were better if he started a correspondence with the big guy earlier rather than later.

I always like to know if an author is able to communicate with the illustrator during the publication process. While the answer is usually no, I wonder if yours is any different, or if you used illustration notes in your manuscript?

I have never exchanged an e-mail, a text, or a “hello” with Jef. Everything was handled through the publisher. When I got to see his sketches, I pretty much fell in love. I did suggest one change that was implemented.

Once it was accepted for publication, how long did this project take? What was the most surprising part of this process?

The book was acquired in 2010 and didn’t hit bookstore shelves until October 2013. I had no idea it could take 3 years. I believe the average is more like 2 years from acquisition to publication, but I’ve heard of authors waiting 5 and 6 years. So I guess 3 isn’t bad.

Was Dear Santasaurus the first manuscript you circulated into submission as a picture book writer? If not, how long have you actively been submitting work as a children’s writer?

The first picture book manuscript I completed placed in a Writer’s Digest national contest. (There’s a difference between completed and drafted.) After, I tried to sell that manuscript for about a year. It made it to an acquisition meeting but never found a home. There was another completed manuscript between that one and Santasaurus that also fizzled. Of course, there have been plenty of manuscripts that just sit on my hard drive. I try to only share my best work—the stuff that has the most potential.

I understand that 2013 brought great things to your door, including agent, Lori Kilkelly of Rodeen Literary Management! How did you know that she was the right agent for you, and how has your writing life changed since accepting representation? Also, how long did your correspondence with Lori take before she signed you as a client?

I’ve always heard that agents who represent picture books will want to see at least three strong manuscripts before offering representation. Lori didn’t do that. She offered to represent me after reading just one manuscript. Being the nervous this-is-too-good-to-be-true person that I am, I asked her to read my chapter book and then to let me know if she really, truly wanted to represent me. She read the chapter book, said it needed some work, but still wanted me. Yeah!

I knew Lori and I were a good fit after our first marathon phone call session. She called me at 10 PM (per my request) while she was on vacation and we talked for about 90 minutes. She understands my sense of humor and is completely honest with me, which I appreciate.

What do you feel was the most important thing(s) you did that lead to publication?

I’ve really started treating writing like a job and not a hobby. In the beginning, I would put everything before writing. I’d volunteer, clean, shop, go to long lunches with friends, pay bills, do laundry, etc. Now, soon as the kids are out of the house, I’m on the computer working. And usually after the kids are in bed I’m doing more work. We’ve all heard it, we can’t wait for the muse to show up. We can’t wait for our schedules to get lighter. We need to make time to write.

Tell us about your other published projects or things we can we look forward to in the future.

My picture book, 101 Reasons I’m Not Taking a Bath, will be published by Random House in 2015 or 2016, but not with that title. It’s still TBD.

And another picture book, Excellent Egor, will be published by Knopf in 2015. Julia Sarcone-Roach will be the illustrator. (Yeah!)

I’m currently polishing my first chapter book and rewriting a YA. Both of which I’m really excited about.

Thank you so much for joining us, Stacy! Best wishes to you! What? You brought us a gift? So, this is what smelled so heavenly! Chocolatey, minty bites of yumminess! Please visit Stacy's Blog for the recipe! Happy Holidays!

Andes Crème de Menthe (visit http://stacymcanulty.blogspot.com/ for the recipe)

Stacy lives in North Carolina with her three children, two dogs, and one husband. She loves writing (but still treats it like a job), Christmas, dinosaurs, and cookies. DEAR SANTASAURUS (Boyd Mills Press, 2013) is her first picture book. For more information on Stacy, please visit www.stacymcanulty.com

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Starting 2014 off Write! I Will Revise!

12/7/2013

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This is way too exciting, but I have to let you know now! Those who follow my writing life know that I am totally motivated by writing challenges! And those who know me really well, know that I am totally time management challenged this year since going back to teaching full time. Therefore, I must be held accountable! Writing challenges do that for me and I have GOT to start my year off 'write'. I hope you will join me for these two challenges. Thank you to Shannon Abercrombie and Meg Miller for the amazing opportunity to grow! Just click the links above to find out more!

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Setting Yourself Up for Success

12/1/2013

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Well, writers, another year of PiBoIdMo is complete! I have spring-loaded 40 new ideas into my idea bank! THAT is something to celebrate! If you missed out on this experience, you do not need to wait until next November to sign up again! I challenge you to do this on your own this month...or any month! How about every day? The goal is to keep thinking of ideas for your new picture book manuscripts. Some of my ideas are as small as a character or title name, a topic for a new story, and part of a plot. Any idea will do! I wish you luck as you continue to chase new ideas!

My plan is to parlay my ideas into the 12 x 12 Picture Book Challenge in 2014. The two challenges naturally go hand in hand, and it worked beautifully for me this year, as well. Registration opens Monday, January 5th! It is like attending a writing conference, but more...submission privileges, educational posts for authors in the market, networking, resources, critiques, and a way to hold yourself accountable to continue writing new manuscripts each month. Be sure to check it out!

December is known as a month of giving, and although every day should officially qualify as a day to give, it tends to be on our minds even more as we approach Christmas. Therefore, you will have the privilege of hearing from TWO Mystery Authors this month! Be sure to stop back on Tuesday, December 10th and Saturday, December 14th! I love learning from other authors, don't you?

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Click picture for a video greeting.

Carrie Charley Brown

As a children’s writer, and a teacher, my goal is to help you carry on. Sometimes learning is challenging, so why go it alone? Your journey will be more meaningful and comfortable with friends to share it with. Together, we'll get up close and personal with authors, illustrators, and the best of picture books. If we work together, great things will follow!