Wednesday, March 28, 2012

SO MUCH MORE THAN A BOOK

I love to read what inspires an author to write a story. I still can't believe the Twilight craze started from a dream.

I never know what will give me an idea for a story. The idea for Katie Ling Fashion Queen came from my second-graders and their adorable passion for fashion.

I wrote I Really Love You, Ava after my son was born. The love that I, my husband and everyone in our family have for George was (and is) truly inspiring. As of right now (hopefully it won't get edited out), the baby in the story is actually named George. How special is that? 

Another picture book my agent is currently querying, My Runaway Lunch Art, was inspired by the students I used to watch over when I had lunch room duty as a teacher. They would make these wild creations with their food like spaceship sandwiches and brownie helicopters.

Each one of these stories has such a special place in my heart because they all evoke treasured memories. I have a feeling that George isn't done inspiring me and our son or daughter who will be coming near the end of October has just begun to inspire.

I had no idea when I started this crazy writing adventure that one day I'd be flipping through pages and seeing memories.
 George Henry - his first week at home

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Four Years Later

For several weeks now, I have been combing through some of my older manuscripts. You know the ones that get put on the back burner for whatever reason. Let me first say that I don't know everything there is to know about writing.

Not even close.

With that out in the open, I will say, WOW! I have learned so much since 2008, when I first stuck my toe in the sometimes FREEZING water of the writing world. I think, just for today-let's say just for the next half an hour or so-I'm going to kick up my feet, drink some delicious water (since I have to snub my nose at my usual sweet tea for the next nine months and pretend water is delicious...again...totally worth it by the way), and bask in the knowledge I've learned thus far.



Do you ever brave the pages of an old manuscript? What are some crazy writing rules that you now have burned into your brain? 



Okay. Time's up. Back to my editing grind, research, and shameless self-promotion.