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Carrie Charley Brown, Children's Book Writer
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PreReFoReMo Day 2: Lori Nawyn Illustrates from the Heart

2/27/2015

94 Comments

 
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It is with great pleasure that I introduce Lori Nawyn.  Her gentle heart and creative spirit shine through our ReFoReMo badge and all of her illustrations.  As picture book writers, we know the impact illustrations have.  They bring new meaning and life to stories, producing a combined art form unlike any other.  Lori takes her illustrations a step further, and aims to help others.  It is my honor to feature her work here in the ReFoReMo community.

CB:  What has influenced you most as an illustrator? 

LN:  I think my greatest influence was my grandfather. With no more than an elementary school education, he designed and built fabulous machines that "flew" over the snow. His SnoPlanes--he built over ninety of them in his lifetime--made winter travel possible (during the 1930s through early 1950s) in the snow bound regions of Idaho and Wyoming, and for Eskimo school children in Alaska. In addition to having a keen sense of functionality for his machines, he also had a keen eye for color and design. A park ranger in Yellowstone once noted that Grandpa's snowplanes were some of the most beautiful crafts he'd ever seen. Not only has my grandfather's artistic sense inspired me, but also his claim that there's, " . . . no such word as can't." He firmly believed that if you have the passion and drive you can achieve whatever you set out to do.

CB:  What was the inspiration behind the books you have illustrated?

LN:  I endured a very abusive situation when I was a child and it is my passion to share with others what I have learned about emerging from the shadows and living in happiness and joy. In particular, to share my work with children.
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I was so touched to be invited to illustrate Love, Hugs, and Hope! The book was written by a marriage and family therapist, Christy Monson, from Utah. Her heart aching, she wanted to somehow reach out and touch the lives of children after the tragedy at Sandy Hook. She wrote the text the weekend following the shootings; her publisher called me the following Monday. I worked nonstop to complete the illustrations before Christmas. It has touched me deeply the children and parents (not only those associated with Sandy Hook) who have said they have found healing in its pages—whether from death, divorce, loss of a pet, illness, bullying, or abuse, as well as the fear, sadness, and anger we can all feel at times. The book in now used in therapy settings and with children who are hospitalized.
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I loved illustrating What Are You Thinking? as well. The book is still selling strong, and has helped children overcome negative emotions and believe in themselves and their capabilities. It will be released as an app late this year. From Head to Tummy was written by the phenomenal Haley Freeman, an anorexia survivor who is passionate about helping children with self-esteem issues and eating disorders.
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Addie and Sage are a part of my Gratitude Journal Project on Facebook -- a series of art for all ages that explores what it means to live in gratitude and joy.  I am currently seeking licensing opportunities for the characters (and a turkey, penguin, and duck that accompany the Addie and Sage collection) on gift products.
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My paperdolls celebrate the strength, courage, and talent of girls and women across America! They are currently only available on Etsy, and they are just as introductory one-page downloads (and I still need to get all the states uploaded to Etsy). The full doll sets (six pages) include several changes of clothing and articulated toys (in addition to the teddy bear each one has) a craft to complete, and a decorative carrying case kids can assemble themselves. The full sets will be available later this year as already printed sheets and stickers. Read more about the inspiration behind the dolls HERE.
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Abbie & Jack are part of my children’s travel series, which will launch spring 2016 with Familius Publishing.
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CB:  Where can we find your work? 

LN:  Samples of my art are on my art blog. I'm also experimenting with an Etsy shop, where you can find my paperdolls and other goodies.  My books on Amazon.

CB:  What type of art are you drawn to in picture books?

LN:  For me there's no one that can simultaneously touch my heart and sense of humor (and humanness) more than Mo Willems. I could read the Knuffle bunny books over and over again. Trixie so reminds me of my youngest daughter and her early childhood adventures with her teddy bear.
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I love the work of Brian Floca, in particular his book Locomotive, because I frequently write about the history of the transcontinental railroad.
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I also enjoy the mesmerizing and beautiful work of David Wiesner.

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Our ReFoReMo badge collaboration was a special treat, Lori!  In true fashion, your giving spirit shines through, once again.  ReFoReMoers, please proudly display the participation badge on your sites and social media.  After your reading efforts are complete, you will be rewarded with a winner's badge, too!  I am so excited to reveal it, but you will just have to wait until the end of March!

Now, please give it up for Lori...a standing ovation is in order, wouldn't you say?  When you sit back down, please tell Lori which illustrations inspire you.
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Lori Nawyn is an award-winning writer, illustrator and graphic designer whose key passion in life is to help others discover their own unique inner strengths. Her short stories, which touch on surviving grief and thriving with joy, have been included in six anthologies. Her essays and articles have been featured in numerous print and online publications, and she is the author of seven books.

Wife of a fireman, mother of four, grandmother of four, and mentor to three opinionated dogs she's training for urban mushing, Lori enjoys running, hiking, kayaking, reading, and growing basil and lavender. 


94 Comments

PreReFoReMo Day 1:  Carrie Charley Brown Lays the Foundation

2/26/2015

98 Comments

 
Are you ready for ReFoReMo?  Watch out for flying books!

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. No one is expecting you to run right out and buy the titles that are mentioned during the challenge. As a picture book addict, I know how tempting that might be. You may even find yourself criss-cross-apple-sauced on the floor of your local book store in order to read some of the desired titles for the first time.  I’m guilty of that, too.  But, the library’s online reserve system is super handy and your kids’ library cards can serve as great back-ups when you’ve maxed yours out.

The goal of ReFoReMo is not to sell more picture books for authors and it’s not for us to share our favorites either. I’m sure you’ll agree with me 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.

Just like any recommended reading list, it is subjective. You may find that some of the books have nothing to do with your writing style. You may disagree with a recommendation.  You may find some books recommended by multiple authors and even similar learning tips.  To me, that’s a good thing.  When I hear something more than once, it tells me to sit up and listen.  But ultimately, you have to decide what works for you.  You know the projects that you have on your table and I applaud your efforts to find a pile of picture books that will enhance each one.

All you need for this experience is an open mind for learning, a willingness to read the daily ReFoReMo posts, a heart for studying the books that appeal to your own personal writing, a pencil, and a notebook. If you registered between February 15-March 1, you may also opt to join the ReFoReMo Facebook group to discuss revelations.

To be eligible for prizes at the conclusion of ReFoReMo, you will want to make efforts to consistently read picture books on a day to day basis between March 8-28.  We are on the honor system, and you must keep track of your own progress.  A complete registration between February 15-March 1 and a comment on the post (with your first/last name that matches registration) is required for eligibility to enter giveaways.  Prizes will be announced as ReFoReMo progresses. The biggest prize will be the knowledge you gain from reading and researching picture books.  We are all winners!

Please feel free to visit the Tools and Schedule tabs for more information.  You’ll find the guest posting schedule, a reading list, and even a few research tools for your convenience.  These sections will grow each day as we reveal more guest posts.  If you have a question, don’t hesitate to ask.  The Facebook group is the best place for your questions, but feel free to email Carrie as a second step.  We will do our best to respond as quickly as we can.  

I'll be turning the daily posts over to our guest-educators tomorrow, so I'd like to leave you with a valuable study tool. As a picture book critique mentor, I often see manuscripts that require plotting assistance.  When I experience a plot problem in one of my own stories, I reach for a formula from my teaching roots, and work my way through mentor texts.  While it is true that not all picture books will fit this formula perfectly, the plot connection elements are still there in one way or another. 

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For an example of this formula in action with A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker, visit HERE.  For a blank copy, please visit the Tools section of ReFoReMo. I challenge you to study plot.
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Which books do you think have perfect plots?  Leave us a comment below and get ready for a great month of learning!  We’re happy to have you with us.
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Carrie Charley Brown is a professional critique mentor with an editorial eye.  She is the founder of ReFoReMo, a research challenge and blog for picture book writers.  Carrie is a picture book writer, kidlit video producer, writing coach, and guest blogger on various sites.   She runs a separate blog, Carrie On...Together, which features THINK QUICK and Mystery Author interviews each month.  She was a 2014 CYBILS fiction picture book panelist and an elementary teacher.  You can follow her writing journey right here on this site.
98 Comments

It's ReFoReMo Registration Time!

2/15/2015

 
I can hardly contain my excitement… We’ve made it to ReFoReMo registration time!  If you are ready to read lots of picture books and work through them with a fine-toothed comb, then let’s get started.  Registration is open between 6 am CST February 15 - March 1 at 11 pm CST.

Please follow these steps to get registered:

1.     If you have not already, subscribe to this ReFoReMo blog using the box on the right hand side. You will see a little captcha box pop up after entering your email address, so please don’t skip that step.  A verification email will come to your email inbox.  Confirm that email and you will be set to receive blog posts.  A very limited number of updates will arrive before February 26.  You will receive three days of PreReFoReMo posts, and from there on out, you will receive the author-educator posts from March 1-31.  Please feel free to leave comments for the author-educators each day.  They are writing rock-stars! This challenge would be 31 days of me blah-blah-blahing in your ear without them. *big grin*

2.     At the bottom of this post, there is a comment section titled, “Leave a Reply.” Fill out the reply form completely, making sure you list the same email address that you used to subscribe in step #1.  (Your email will not be visible to the public unless you put it in the comment box.) Listing your email will assist admin in knowing if you are registered properly, so please do not skip this step.  Then, use the comment box to repeat your FIRST and LAST NAME as the first words of your one sentence comment. Example:  CARRIE CHARLEY BROWN is ready to read!  If you don’t want to use a sentence, feel free to just leave your name in the comment box.  Example:  CARRIE CHARLEY BROWN  If you need assistance, please contact Carrie by email, and leave this comment feed open only for registrations.

You must have steps one and two completed by March 1 at 11 pm CST in order to qualify for prize entries at the conclusion of ReFoReMo.

3.     Optional:  Head on over to the private ReFoReMo Facebook group and request to be admitted.  It was designed to build community and host discussions about picture books as mentor texts.  Prior to February 26, we will post one link each day to serve as a research prompt. You are also welcome to start discussions about mentor texts on your own.  Please refrain from promoting events or posts unrelated to picture books as mentor texts. Once ReFoReMo officially begins, we will feature the link to our daily author-educators. (The blog post will also be delivered to your inbox.) We will check to make sure you are properly registered with steps 1 and 2 before adding you to the Facebook group.  Thank you for your patience while we take care of everyone.

4.    
Standing ovation for illustrator Lori Nawyn!!!  She created this amazing participation badge for us to use on our websites and/or social media sites! Please link the badge back to this address:  http://www.carriecharleybrown.com/what-is-reforemo.html
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5.  In addition, you may add a Twibbon to either/both your Facebook or Twitter profile pictures.  Go here, to access the Twibbon campaign. Your ReFoReMo cheerleader will look like this...isn't she precious?!  You should be able to resize her once you access the campaign.
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While you are waiting for ReFoReMo to kick into high gear, feel free to check out the Schedule and Tools tabs on the ReFoReMo menu above.  You may also enjoy exploring the Carrie On… Together tab where I’ve been interviewing authors for the last two years.  Authors can learn so much from one another.

6.     Prizes and eligibility will be announced at a later date.  When March 1 rolls around, keep your research notebook close by and keep track of what you read each day.  To be eligible for prizes, you will want to make efforts to consistently read picture books on a day to day basis. While I have dangled a huge goal of reading five picture books a day from March 8-28, I realize that life gets in the way.  The idea is to read consistently and utilize the mentor texts as study tools to help you with your current writing goals.  Whether that is one picture book each day or five, your efforts will enhance your writing. 

That's it for now!  Official PreReFoReMo blog posts will begin on February 26.  A special SURPRISE guest-educator will join us on February 28! 
You won't want to miss out!  Get ready to rock your writing with mentor texts!

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Carrie Charley Brown is a professional critique mentor with an editorial eye.  She is the founder of ReFoReMo, a research challenge for picture book writers.  Carrie is a children’s writer, kidlit video producer, writing coach, and dedicated blogger.   She was a 2014 CYBILS fiction picture book panelist and an elementary teacher.  You can follow her writing journey right here on this blog.

Introducing... ReFoReMo Sharing Contest Winners and the Fabulous Administration Team

2/6/2015

6 Comments

 
Thank you to everyone who entered the ReFoReMo Sharing Contest!  We have some winners!
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Winner of The Farmer and the Clown picture book:  Josh Funk
Winner of the Hand-Crafted ReFoReMo Journal:  Carol Munro
Winner of Mumbet’s Declaration of Independence picture book: Kristi Dee Veitenheimer

With registration quickly approaching, I hope you will continue to spread ReFoReMo fever! 

A month-long challenge of this size involves a lot of effort.  While the author-educators have already been announced, I’d also like to introduce your lovely administration team.  *thunderous applause*

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Kirsti Call
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Tracey M. Cox
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Suzy Leopold
These talented writers will be helping with registration and the Facebook group.  After registration, they will assist with questions in the FB group, so consider sending them goodies in the mail. (Just kidding!)  Rest assured that we will respond to you, but please be patient.  We prefer to reserve email as a last resort, but we understand that not all of you will opt to join the private Facebook group. If you need assistance with registration related questions, I (Carrie) will be your contact.  The registration post will go live next Sunday, February 15.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

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    Illustration by Lori Nawyn

    ReFoReMo

    March 1-31
    The ReFoReMo Challenge, or Reading for Research Month Challenge, was developed to help picture book writers reform writing by reading and researching picture books.  Challenge registration opens February 15.  To find out more or to subscribe to the Reading for Research Blog for weekly posts year round, visit our new exclusive site at www.reforemo.com.

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    Carrie Charley Brown, Founder & Coordinator
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    Kirsti Call, ReFoReMo Co-Coordinator

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