If you’ve read my blog post “What’s in a Name” you realize naming your characters can be a matter of some importance. Yet, with all that, there is a name you have to consider which makes the importance of character names pale in comparison. This name is for your book. I tell you this from […]
Tag: Boys Will Be Boys
“What’s in a Name?” Or “Naming Your Characters.”
How much attention do you give to naming your characters? Let me put it this way. How much time or energy would you put into naming a child? Many people name their children after some member of the family, but which member, which child? For those who want something different, there are books upon books […]
“What is a Picture Worth?” Or “Illustration Woes”
Let’s face it, we are not all Bob Ross. Even if we can visualize the scene our words suggest, it doesn’t mean we can take that scene from our minds and put it onto paper in the form of an illustration unless we are some of those multi-talented creatives. Odds are, we won’t do so […]
“Opportunities and Obstacles.” or “Perfectionism.”
Perfectionism can be a great benefit and a great trial at any given time. Writing and illustrations are no exceptions. I read and reread the text of my written works trying to make sure the story is conveyed clearly, that punctuation is correct, that the story flows, that the characters are acting in character, that… I […]
“It Just Takes One Little Spark” or “What Starts the Flame of a Story?”
What is inspiration for stories or books in general? People seem to be interested in the inspiration behind their favorite books. So, I will try to address this question again. If you are curious about what I had to say when I touched on this subject before, visit ‘I Have a Tale to Tell’. How […]
“The One Where We Ask For Help.” or “Mentors, Family, and Friends.”
With “Boys Will Be Boys” I had the text ready, or nearly so, for years. The problem was, I lacked confidence in my writing and I lacked direction for the next steps. As far as I was concerned, my writing was not good enough to send out into the world. The concept was daunting. “What […]
“To Make a Long Story Short” or “Writing Small”
One of the obstacles I found in the writing process for a children’s book was the giant problem of writing small. Sometimes it seems strange to me that this would be my problem, because, though I can be long winded once I get into the flow, I also have a tendency, annoying as it is, […]
“Once Upon a Time…” or “Beginning the Book”
Who says a children’s story has to begin “once upon a time…?”This beginning is so popular that even one of the most recognized sci-fi movies begins with a similar and widely known phrase. I’m thinking space samurai, blasters, evil emperors, and Frank Oz and James Earl Jones (the series can not be the same without […]
“I Have a Tale to Tell.” Or “The story. “
What made me decide to write Boys Will Be Boys? It is something I have felt strongly about for some time. These stereotypes of what makes a proper boy or a proper girl, or man or woman, have made my muscles tighten for years. The decision to write about this issue and to help children […]