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Revealing ReFoReMo with Author Jodi McKay

1/26/2016

Our ReFoReMo Sharing Buzz Contest is still going strong for one more week! If the ReFoReMo Challenge or blog has contributed to your growth as a writer, we hope you'll lend a hand and spread the excitement. As a thank you, you may enter the drawings listed in the post.

Today's guest knows a lot about lending a hand. Jodi McKay was an active participant during ReFoReMo 2015 and continued her research all year long. In addition, she was a sharing queen when it came to spreading the love for ReFoReMo. Thank you, Jodi, and thanks for sharing your experience with us today, too.

By Jodi McKay

When it comes to writing, I would consider myself a bit of a pantser. If I am struck with an idea then I go and write it all out, but there are times when I get stuck or I want to tell a story in a certain way and I need more than what my brain can provide. Through the encouragement of the enormously beneficial ReFoReMo 2015 challenge, I now understand how to use mentor texts to inspire ideas or help me build a better book. As an added bonus it also promotes exercise! No, I don’t do jumping jacks or sit-ups, I run… to my son’s room.

Am I struggling with an opening? Run! Grab, Carnivores by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Dan Santat. This is the perfect mentor text for understanding how to set up a story.

Not quite getting a good story arc? Run! Grab, Elwood Bigfoot by Jill Esbaum and illustrated by Nate Wragg. Ah yes, this is a perfect example of a solid story structure with a nice build up of tension using the rule of three and it has a lovely resolution, plus there are BIRDIES!

Uh oh, page turns aren’t turning out right. Run! Grab, Chickens to the Rescue by John Himmelman. Wow, this mentor text shows how to create a good amount of anticipation that certainly makes me want to turn the pages. By now I’m out of breath, but not only have I gotten in a great work out, I have used the brilliance of my fellow authors to help guide me in creating a story that is perhaps good enough for our kids.

The ReFoReMo challenge has set me up for success in a way that I hadn’t thought of and I am grateful for the mental (and physical) exercises that mentor texts provide. Big thanks to Carrie Charley Brown and Kirsti Call for helping me on my writing journey! I can’t wait to learn more during ReFoReMo 2016!

Thanks so much for sharing, Jodi! Any workout involving picture books is my kind of workout!

The Sharing Buzz Contest is a picture book workout with giveaway potential! Don't forget to check it out HERE!

If you would also like to share your ReFoReMo experience, we welcome you to review our submission policy for the Revealing ReFoReMo series.

Jodi McKay lives with her husband and seven-year old son in the state that’s shaped like a mitten. She writes quirky, humorous picture books by day and by night she sleeps. Jodi is lucky enough to be represented by Linda Epstein of The Jennifer DeChiara Literary agency. You can find out more about her on her website, www.JodiMcKayBooks.com, or maybe follow her on Twitter- @jlmckay1 and FaceBook.

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ReFoReMo Surprise + Sharing Buzz Contest

1/20/2016

28 Comments

By Carrie Charley Brown

Well...do you notice anything new and spectacular about the blog? We want to thank our incredibly talented resident illustrator, Lori Nawyn, for the fabulous new header! We are so glad to embark upon this journey with you, and our little mascot's voyage symbolizes it well! Will you board the ReFoReMo boat with us?

As the February 15th ReFoReMo registration date nears, we'd like to create a buzz! With our passion for picture books and appreciation for this art form, what better way to ring in ReFoReMo 2016 than with singer/songwriter Emily Arrow? We all want kids to fall in love with our eventual works of art, as well, and Emily captures the heart of that through song. Let's encompass Emily's contagious spirit and enthusiasm through song as our event draws near!

Presenting...The Official ReFoReMo Song!
Written and Performed by the one and only Emily Arrow

Let's kick ReFoReMo into gear with a sharing contest and some prizes! Anyone is welcome to share, but this round of prize drawings are open to US residents only. Sharing is all it takes to enter the drawings between the dates of January 19-February 2! As you know, the bigger the buzz, the more picture book writers we will inspire. Together we can transform writing for picture book writers and illustrators at any learning level. Great gains comes from reading the newest picture books on the market. That's a great thing to share!

Many options allow you to share more each day. Pick your favorite social media sites: Twitter, FB, Google +, your blog, You Tube, etc. If you are not sure what to say, you can find information about our mission here. We love originality, but please feel free to use the Tweet examples below to guide your shares, as well. We've included our Twitter handles in each Tweet so we can retweet you and show our appreciation. If using Facebook, please friend and tag us there instead: Carrie and Kirsti. Feel free to expand on these examples in other forums that allow more characters.

Presenting the Official #ReFoReMo Challenge Song by the one and only @helloemilyarrow! http://ow.ly/XfQ1s @carriebrowntx @kirsticall

Catch #ReFoReMo fever through song! @helloemilyarrow @carriebrowntx @kirsticall http://ow.ly/XfQ1s

Get your foot a-tappin' as @helloemilyarrow kicks of #ReFoReMo in true kidlit fashion! http://ow.ly/XfQ1s @carriebrowntx @kirsticall URL

The second annual #ReFoReMo is drawing near! Will you be there, #picturebook writers? #giveaway @carriebrowntx @kirsticall http://ow.ly/XfQ1s

Registration for #ReFoReMo 2016 is coming February 15! #picturebook #writers #giveaway @carriebrowntx @kirsticall http://ow.ly/XfQ1s

Take a look at the author-educator line up again HERE. Find a few of them you would like to promote and share like this example:

Author-educators @ewhamilton @SauerTammi @MarcieFAtkins ready to rock #ReFoReMo! #giveaway @carriebrowntx @kirsticall http://ow.ly/XfQ1s

Feel free to use any of our author educator's twitter handles! Or mention the educators in general, like this:

PB writers! #ReFoReMo guests revealed! Sign up for updates and enter #giveaway. @carriebrowntx @kirsticall http://ow.ly/XfQ1s

Of course, you can create your own original tweets and shares! Just be sure to list this URL and tag Kirsti and me so we can thank you!

So...what are the prizes? Mentor Texts, of course! I received each of the texts shown below as a brand new hardcover review copy during the CYBILS awards. It will be hard to part with these special stories, but I feel compelled to share. Due to shipping costs, I must limit the drawings only to US entrants.

All three books are listed in the Rafflecopter below. Your entries will apply to all of the books and Rafflecopter will choose one winner for each book.

Thank you for your support! We can't wait to share ReFoReMo with you!

Kane Miller EDC Publishing

Candlewick Press

Chronicle Books

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Emily Arrow creates literature inspired music for children, cultivating an appreciation and love for singing, songwriting, literature, and art. Winner of the 2015 John Lennon Songwriting Contest, Emily is currently recording her debut children’s album, “Storytime Singalong” that will be released in January 2016. She has collaborated with awardwinning authors including Peter Brown of THE CURIOUS GARDEN, Peter H. Reynolds of THE DOT, and Kelly Light of LOUISE LOVES ART to name a few. Emily is based in Los Angeles and regularly performs at children’s literature festivals, schools, and libraries sharing her love for music and literature.

Follow Emily at these Social Media links:
You Tube, Twitter: @helloemilyarrow, Facebook,
and on her site at www.EmilyArrow.com.

28 Comments

How to Get Your Hands on Books

1/12/2016

15 Comments

by Kirsti Call and Carrie Charley Brown

ReFoReMo will be here before we know it! We'll read and learn from at least 5 picture books a day in March. And the reading list for the month will be released on February 23rd, so we'll have time to gather them before the challenge begins!

With tons of picture book recommendations ready to fly off the shelf and into your home, you may find it helpful to be armed and ready with a library card during ReFoReMo. We recommend reserving the picture books at the library, and if you have access to online and inter-library loan features, even better. When the library doesn't have a new release, we visit our nearest bookstore and find a quiet spot to read. You Tube usually has a read-aloud of most picture books if you can't find a specific title at the library or book store. Also, picture book writers are a great resource. Get together (in-person or online) and share the book experience!

With so many participants from around the globe, we understand that you may not have access to a library or a bookstore with the most current books, or other picture book writers in your area. That's where your
ReFoReMo family comes in handy! Our Facebook group is a great place to put a call out for help. Please don't hesitate to ask questions, share insights and ideas about the recommended books, and collaborate with each other as you use each book as a mentor text to improve your writing skills!

No one expects you to run right out and buy the titles that are mentioned during the challenge. As picture book addicts, we know how tempting that might be. The goal of ReFoReMo is not to sell more picture books for authors and it’s not for us to share our favorites either. We're sure you’ll agree with us that we all have so many favorites that the list could fill a book on its own.  A big one. We understand that the picture book market is filled with authors who deserve a shout out.  But, that’s not really what this is about either.  It is about the reading and research that goes into your craft.  Learning how other authors have successfully used mentor texts to improve their writing can help us try new things, too.  ReFoReMo is about the process of utilizing picture books as mentor texts. We look forward to growing together!

Our sharing contest is coming next week! Don't miss a chance to win some free picture books!

Timeline
February 15:            Registration opens
February 23:            Reading list goes live on
February 27-29:      PreReFoReMo: Starting off Strong
March 1-31:              ReFoReMo!

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Revealing ReFoReMo: 2016 Author-Educators

1/5/2016

9 Comments

By Carrie Charley Brown

When I founded ReFoReMo last year, I knew that mentor texts had the power to impact many lives. I had no idea, though, that it would actually come together in such a short time and be successful. After having an entire year to prepare this time around, Reading for Research Month 2016 is shaping into a wonderful learning experience. Along with my co-coordinator, Kirsti Call, we'd like to thank these wonderful author-educators that have opted to share inspiration, tips, and recommendations with you for our upcoming challenge. What a fabulous line up! All of our guests are kidlit professionals in one shape or another: author, illustrator, librarian, teacher, editor or agent. Adding all of you to the mix, it’s amazing to have so many picture book addicts in one place at one time! We are grateful to connect with each and every one!

You will find a static copy of this schedule in our ReFoReMo drop down menu, as well. Look for the Schedule & Coordinators tab.

ReFoReMo will benefit picture books writers from every level... beginner to multi-published. Why? No matter the level, great gains come from reading the newest picture books on the market. It's true that the classics have their place, as well.

In the weeks leading up to the challenge, please follow us for updates. You can plan on registration details, a chance to win picture books, and testimony from past participants.

Timeline
February 15:            Registration opens
February 23:            Reading list goes live
February 27-29:      PreReFoReMo: Starting off Strong
March 1-31:              ReFoReMo!

If you are not yet part of our ReFoReMo Facebook group, please feel free to join here. Our amazing Facebook Group Administrator, Janie Reinert, is ready to welcome you! See you there!