Technically a Loss, But Still a Win

The NaNo gods can judge me and perhaps find me wanting, but I feel like a winner. Okay, I didn't get 50,000 words on one novel, I got 37,000 words of an entirely new novel, plus about 17,000 words of a previously started novel ready to add to the greater whole.

Why Picture Books Matter...

PiBoIdMo has been a good choice for me. If nothing else, it has heightened my awareness. I've been more intent in my interactions with my kids, nature and people, watching for those magical picture book ideas to pop up, and they did.

The Humanity of Art

My posts lately have all referred to "Make Art Make Money" and this one is no different. There is a quote from Frank Oz that I find very interesting:  "Art isn't perfect. It's human. It's about expressing something about life, and if it doesn't do that, it's not art."

What do you think of this idea? I was remembering my fascination with Norman Rockwell's illustrations, particularly his portrayal of the Four Freedoms. To me, this is the finest example of perfection and expressing something about life. I was able to see the original paintings at an exhibit a couple of years ago, and was stopped and brought to tears by what I saw there. My art isn't nearly at that level, but I do try to keep that experience in mind as I work. The expression about life, and the humanity, is more important than the perfection of technique, maybe.

 

 

Early Weekend Links

I'm in the throes NaNoWriMo and PiBoIdMo. And I have a big birthday party weekend for my little guy, so I'm dishing out the weekend links a day early:

Great, and short, read on the "best writing advice ever" by Pico Iyer:
http://theamericanscholar.org/the-best-writing-advice-i-ever-received/#.UoVEI42xOBA

Just in time for NaNo doldrums, here's a quick read on how to create compelling characters:
http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/how-to-make-ordinary-characters-compelling

And just so you don't lose your sense of humor, here's a seven minute video clip with Mo Willems:

(my favorite: "Don't let the pigeon be an author," teehee)

Stealing Like an Artist

I followed Johnell’s example and signed up for Picture Book Idea Month (PiBoIdMo.) I’m so glad I did! Every day I get an inspiring email full of great ideas for coming up with ideas. I really liked Thursday’s email. Pat Zietlow Miller talked about finding a picture book she really loves, and being inspired by it, not to copy it, but to get an idea of her own. She reads the book over many times looking at different aspects of it, and even buys a copy to write notes in. This helps her write better picture books. What a great idea! I’m going to do that.

Speaking of inspiration, The Secret Garden is one of my favorite books. I recently read The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. The Forgotten Garden is a bit like The Secret Garden, but written for adults instead of children. Both are about a sick child who is cured by a spending time in a garden. Part of The Forgotten Garden takes place in 1907, and Frances Hodgson Burnett, the author of The Secret Garden makes an appearance. When she is told about the secret, hidden garden “raised from ruins to help bring a delicate young lady back to health,” you can almost imagine a lightbulb blinking on above her head. She’s so interested, she has to see it. So The Forgotten Garden, published in 2008 was obviously inspired by The Secret Garden, published in 1911, but Kate Morton makes it seem that Frances Hodgson Burnett got the idea from her secret garden. How clever! And wouldn’t that take some confidence to pull off?

Weekend Link--Sandra Boynton and Flying Pigs

Doing PiBoIdMo and/or NaNoWriMo? Feeling a bit acronymous? No, it's not in the dictionary, but it should be. It seemed fitting for the feeling I'm having switching back and forth between PiBo and NaNo...or is it PiNo...or NaBo...or BoNo...AAAGH. I'm starting to feel like an Irish rock star with a government job.

Here's one more acronym for your weekend. This time its TED, as in TED Talks and this one is with Sandra Boynton. Just perfect...and its short so you can get back to your PiBo and WriMo ROS. MTFBWY!

First November Weekend Link!

Happy post Halloween. Maybe you all saw this, but I was under a rock apparently and missed it. 

Oprah interviews J.K. here and I have to say it was a bit depressing at first. I mean 12 publishers 12 rejected Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone!

I bet they feel stupid now.

It's the full episode, so hunker down for 42 minutes for this one. Wow!