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Carrie Charley Brown, Children's Book Writer
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Ask Carrie (June Edition) + Bonus Links Worth Your While

6/25/2015

3 Comments

 
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Sometimes we're full of questions. Questions lead to answers. Kind of powerful, huh? While I normally focus on one question at a time during Ask Carrie segments, I just couldn't leave a lonely little question sitting all by herself, waiting a whole month for her turn. Therefore, you get the benefit of all three this week!

Jen Garrett wants to know:

When picking mentor texts, do you focus on one element at a time (e.g. plot structure, page turns, theme, character) or do you look at all of them at once?

Great question! I choose my mentor texts intentionally. Every new work-in-progress needs thorough concept research, so that is generally where I start. I wouldn’t want to write a book that is already been done. Therefore, I attempt to locate as many books as I possibly can on a similar concept. I want to make sure that my concept is fresh and unique, and stands out as something that has never been done- not the same plot, dialogue, sentences, characters, not anything.

From there, I may utilize other mentor texts based on my needs. For example, if I am struggling to form relationships, I may research examples that exhibit great interaction between characters. If I am writing a sparse text, I study sparse mentor texts and the interplay between words and art. Therefore, I certainly do focus on one element at a time, and it is different for each book.

Do you ever go back and re-read a mentor text with a new focus in mind?

Based on my last response, this happens all the time. For example, I might look at several books that infuse humor seamlessly one time. But, when a new work-in-progress emerges, I might check out the same book and look at it from a character or emotional standpoint. You have to let your manuscript lead you. If you read a lot of picture books simply for pleasure, you may not need a single mentor text for you work…. just good regular reading habits.

Do you type up the texts of picture books into manuscript format? What are the pros and cons to this kind of practice?

I have done this on occasion. It can help you “live” in the text for a few moments and absorb pacing, plot, or structure long enough to learn from it. If you are researching books that you love, it might help you put your finger on the it-factor. It can also analyze relationships between pictures and words, if you take notes on the illustrations, as well. There is a huge list of pros for this practice, and I personally have not experienced any cons. But, keep in mind, I don’t rely too heavily on this process and once I am finished typing it out, I generally don’t come back to it again unless I am struggling with an aspect the text covers.  I think if you stay in a text for too long, you may absorb a little too much of a book subliminally without even realizing it. Luckily, if you have a well-read critique group, they should be able to catch subliminal leaks if they appear.


Do you have more mentor text questions for me? Leave them in the comment section. I will feature your questions on future segments of Ask Carrie.

Bonus Links
-It All Starts with a Picture- from Writer's Rumpus Blogger Carrie Charley Brown
I took a mental trip back to preschool at the 2015 New Jersey SCBWI Conference. One quote, from author/illustrator Denise Fleming did the trick: “Every time you draw a picture you begin to tell a story.”
The story of a character…

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(Read more of this post by Yours Truly by clicking HERE.)

-3 Things all Writers Needs to Know- from Children's Book Academy Blogateer Kirsti Call
Conferences are great for reminding us that we are not alone.  I connected with my writing tribe at the NJSCBWI conference just a few days ago, and I was reminded of these 3 essential things.  
(Read more of this post by Kirsti Call HERE.)

-What Can I Write About? What to Do When the Well Runs Dry- from GROG BLOG blogger Pat Miller

Recently, one of those registered for my upcoming NF 4 NF Children's Nonfiction Writing Conference asked a surprising question. "It's my writing day today and one of my task list items is to ask you for homework. Sounds strange, I know, but I feel like I'm having writer's block on what to do next."
(Read the rest of this post by Pat Miller HERE.)


Did you participate in ReFoReMo this year? I want to hear about your experience and how you are using mentor texts today! Check out submission guidelines for the Revealing ReFoReMo series HERE.
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June Mentor Text Check In & Rhyming Challenge

6/16/2015

17 Comments

 
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How did you do last month with the interactive mentor text challenge? Did you find anything you’d like to share? Rebecca Gomez’s June THINK QUICK Author Interview got me thinking about great rhyming picture books. We ALL need to be reading them!  Even if you don’t write in rhyme, poetic techniques will subliminally infuse themselves into your writing database by simply reading. Yep, brain power.  Therefore, your new challenge will be to read at least 25 rhyming picture books by July 14. To get you started, I personally recommend anything and everything written by Corey Rosen-Schwartz or Lori Degman. (Bonus: Each of their links has a book trailer to watch!)
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What About Moose? by Corey Rosen Schwartz, Rebecca J. Gomez and Keika Yamaguchi
Ninja Red Riding Hood by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Dan Santat
Goldi Rocks and the Three Bears by  Corey Rosen Schwartz, Beth Coulton and Nate Wragg
The Three Ninja Pigs by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Dan Santat
One Zany Zoo by Lori Degman and Colin Jack 
Cock-a-Doodle-Oops! By Lori Degman and Deborah Zemke


Here are a few more immediate recommendations straight from my rhyming friends. I love the fact that some of their recommendations overlap. That’s the true sign of a good recommendation.

Corey Rosen Schwartz recommends Lori Degman’s books, as well! 
Corey’s other picks:
I AM COW,HEAR ME MOO by Jill Esbaum
BEAR SNORES ON by Karma Wilson. 
(And she has always been a huge Seuss fan!)
In addition, BOTH Corey and Lori chose:
OLLIE AND CLAIRE by Tiffany Strelitz Haber and Matthew Cordell.

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Additional recommendations by Lori Degman:
Hogwash! by Karma Wilson and Jim McMullan
A Fly Went By by Mike McClintock and Fritz Siebel  

And both Lori and Josh Funk recommend:
CIRCUS SHIP by Chris Van Dusen

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You won’t have to wait too much longer for my critique partner Josh Funk’s debut rhyming book, LADY PANCAKE and SIR FRENCH TOAST (Illustrated by Brendan Kearney.) You can already view the book trailer HERE!
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While you're waiting, Josh also recommends his all time fave:
IGGY PECK, ARCHITECT by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts

And his long time love of Seuss:

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

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For my final recommendations, visit Paul Czajak’s fun rhyming Monster & Me series

And anything by Lisa Wheeler, but especially:


The Pet Project: Cute and Cuddly Vicious Verses
Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum
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These recommendations are only the beginning. Have fun exploring rhymers and please share your progress in the comment section or the Facebook group (for 2015 registered participants). And DON’T FORGET the What About Moose? THINK QUICK interview is ready for you HERE.
17 Comments

June Author/Illustrator: Ben Clanton Talks Mentor Texts

6/9/2015

7 Comments

 
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Welcome to Part II of our interview with author/illustrator Ben Clanton.  In Part I, Ben teaches about the interplay between text and illustrations... so don't miss out!

Do you utilize picture books as mentor texts?  If so, how? 


Absolutely! Not always proactively, but I’m a huge picture book aficionado. When I come across a book that really works or that captivates me, I dissect it to see how it works. You might think this would take away somewhat from the magic of a good book, but I feel it usually deepens my understanding and adoration. I typically don’t apply a certain mentor text to a specific text I’m working on. Instead I’m creating a general arsenal of what works and what doesn’t. Some texts to check out . . . Stuck by Oliver Jeffers, There are Cats in this Book by Viviane Schwarz, and The Skunk by Mac Barnett and Patrick McDonnell.

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Were there any particular mentor texts that inspired you in the creation of SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY? Or another one of your published books?

One that comes to mind right away is perhaps one of the most influential picture books there is . . . WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE. In WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, the illustrations get gradually bigger and take up more of the page as the book approaches the climax (three full-bleed spreads with no text).
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I applied something akin with the wishes the boy makes in Something Extraordinary. He starts out with the simple classic wishes such as “I wish I could fly!” but gradually they become a bit more involved or unusual and they start to add up. So when the boy wishes his drawings would come to life the robot that results sticks around and the same with the wishes for fangs and a tail and unusual pets. The wishes start to fill up the page and build up as the book approaches an important turning point and the boy’s most desperate wish of all.

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Another mentor text that comes to mind is Jon Klassen’s This Is Not My Hat in which the text says only so much and lots of the storytelling is reliant upon the illustrations. In Something Extraordinary, if you were to read the text alone it would read like a list of wishes. The illustrations are doing a lot of augmenting in Something Extraordinary. There are two birds that are particularly important in the book and that really carry the story. They are never mentioned outright in the text.
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It is so interesting to see how you have utilized mentor texts, Ben! Thanks so much for sharing with us.  I'd like to encourage the ReFoReMo family to conduct an author study with your books.  In Part I of the interview, Ben mentions how he is still evolving. An author study allows us to see that process up close.  All of Ben’s books have whimsy, heart, and humor.  Each one is packed with feelings. Here are a few of the underlying and character themes you will find.

Something Extraordinary- Ben's Newest Release 2015:
-Optimism, following dreams, wonder, imagination, thinking outside the box/creativity

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Rex Wrecks It- 2014:
-Excitability, individuality, inventiveness, problem solving, playfulness, teamwork, learning from each other

Mo’s Mustache- 2013:
-Originality, being yourself, standing up for yourself, frustration, speaking your mind, admiration, celebrating others and yourself

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The Table Sets Itself- 2013:
-Handling responsibility, tackling boredom, seeking more out of life, trying new things

Vote For Me- 2012
-Bragging, persuading, competition, speaking before thinking, apologizing

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And now, pop on over to Part I of Ben's interview... it is toooo good to miss!
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Ben Clanton is the author/illustrator of such books as Something Extraordianry, Rex Wrecks It!, and Mo’s Mustache. When Ben isn’t doodling up stories (and often when he is) he likes to cook, explore outdoors, play basketball, and play games with friends. Ben is in the midst of a move back to Seattle, WA. Find out more about Ben at www.benclanton.com.

7 Comments

Revealing ReFoReMo: Romelle Broas Researches Methodically

6/2/2015

42 Comments

 
by Romelle Broas

I have to admit I've never really understood how to use mentor texts until the ReFoReMo challenge. I used to just read a book, take mental notes of the books I love, and put it in my special stack for inspiration. That's where it ended. I had a stack of books staring me in the face saying, "now what?"

The author-educators who guest-blogged during the ReFoReMo event helped me understand HOW to use picture books as mentor texts. They were all fabulous, but below are some of the posts that stood out to me:


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Tara Lazar- Tara discussed the importance of hooking a reader with COVER, TITLE, SUBJECT MATTER, and PLOT TWISTS. By asking myself, "What draws me to a book?" I can pinpoint what makes it so attractive and engaging.

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Marcie Colleen- Marcie shared books that inspired MOOD, STYLE, THEME, and PLOT ARC while creating her upcoming stories. Now, when I find a book I love, I draft a story that carries out the same style and tone to help me develop the skill.

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Susanna Leonard Hill- Susanna helped me to look at elements of picture books at a deeper level. Sure, many of the books have them, but which one makes a book stand out and why? Susanna's post inspired me to write down specifics and look for examples in the text that support the lovely LANGUAGE, lovable CHARACTER, or satisfying ENDING.

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Mentor texts give me an idea on how to enhance my picture book writing. It's one thing to know what I need in my story; it's another to know HOW to do it.

Throughout the ReFoReMo challenge, I collected questions from the ReFoReMo author-educators and formed some of my own to help me with my research.  As a result, I created my own worksheet that I fill out whenever I find a picture book I LOVE.

Some people like to read mentor texts and let them absorb organically. I'm more technical, and need to analyze books in writing to help me process it better.

Going through my questions and writing them out as an exercise was an epiphany for me. By citing specific examples from the book like what makes me want to read the book over again or what made me fall in love with the character was a revelation. Mentor texts finally make sense to me.

With the information I gathered, I am now able to write my stories with purpose and direction. I am excited about my revisions and turning my ordinary manuscripts into something extraordinary!

I hope my worksheet inspires you, too. Feel free to revise it according to your preference. Happy researching!

THANK YOU Carrie Charley Brown and ReFoReMo participants!


Thank YOU, Romelle! Your worksheet is GREAT!
mentor_text_evaluation_sheet(1).pdf
File Size: 74 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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Romelle Broas is a dental hygienist by day, writer by night, and mother all the time. She is the author of several eBooks. Her latest release, RUNNING BOY, is published by MeeGeenius. Romelle also writes nonfiction under the name of Romelle Guittap. Her writing has been featured in FACES, Boys' Quest, Stories for Children, and Skipping Stone. You can find her blogging about her journey to becoming a picture book writer and meandering around in the kidlit community.

42 Comments
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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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