Finally, New Website Up

My new website has finally been posted. Lots of new changes and updates. I wanted it clear and clean and I believe it is going to work for me.  I have also added a page for black and white sketch and spot drawings which is a direction I plan to pursue. I want to thank Britt Kaufmann for her excellent web design work. I'm pleased.
Stop by at Kit Grady.com and let me know any comments or thoughts.

Point of View of Who

As I plan a change in my story's POV or Point Of View, I came upon an excellent article on Through the Tollboth by Stephanie Greene. Even the comments were filled with interesting insights.

Which POV do you find most effective?

Relax, think it over...

So I have some decisions to make. Need to take some time and think it over. Find a good book and do a few sketches.....

Revision with Direction

Back to revisions...
So now to another revision project. This one, not for a picture book but for a chapter book or possibly a low middle grade novel. Wow, this is a different animal I have by the tail with such a contrast from a picture book revision.
For example, in a picture book, all details that an illustrator can show would be left out which slices it down to a minimal text.
BUT NOW!
There is this huge pile of papers sitting on my desk and in my pc with lots and lots of pages and thousands of words. And now the instructions are: show don't tell, check for plot holes, make sure the character stays in character, keep pace strong, make sure dialogue sounds like real dialogue and so much more.
So I have my manuscript draft, my colored highlighters, index cards, sticky notes and a large chart I can fill with characters, themes, plots and subplots, time frames and other things.
Am I ready to dive in? I hope so.
If you are diving in too, I found this amazing blog by Anne Lyle, Revising Your Novel in Ten Easy Steps. (Oh how I wish It  would be easy) Also Cheryl Klein has a wonderful book out, Second Sight, which is full of amazing revision instructions and tips.
Let me take a big breath, and large cup of coffee first...

Animal Sound Mix-up gets the 2013 KART KIDS BOOK LIST AWARD

Author Connie Arnold has just let me know that, ANIMAL SOUND MIX-UP has won the 2013 Kart Kids Book List. Her wonderful story about how each animal is so suited to their own unique sounds, was a joy to illustrate. She filled it full of wonderful creatures and so much fun and silliness too.
I'm very proud of her and our book.

Updating Website

Yes, way over due. My website at   www. kitgrady.com needs some fresh new work. So I'm almost ready. 
 I will add a new black and white illustration page. I found out just how much I love this black and white thing. I enjoy getting the feel and depth of color, yet sticking to a black and white canvas. 
So I'll add several new illustrations, update my bio, and mix in a few spot items. Should be up soon.

Revision Done, Now Submissions!

Yes, my picture book has been revised with the skillful guidance of Danielle Smith, my new wonderful agent with Foreward Literary. She will put the final touches together and start sending our baby out to the many children's Book Houses. Oh my goodness- 

Wow, Now this is news-
Pam van Hylckama Vlieg, Laurie Mclean and Gordon Warnock have created a new Literary Agency,
FOREWARD LITERARY. I'm so very excited to be represented by these super agents. I'm now working with their talented assistant agent, Danielle Smith, preparing not one but two projects for submission. Danielle, a writer herself, is the blogger and reviewer for There's A Book. You can tell I'm in qualified hands.

Let the magic begin..........
 

Reworking a new project

Ah, so I began a middle grade novel and loved the opening. Yes, I loved it. But skidded into a big halt at page ten. No not just page ten. Suddenly my story wasn't what I thought it would be. Not at all. Bummer. Loved my character but the plot didn't work.  I repeat  NOT AT ALL-
I tried this angle. Nope. I tried it another way. Na-
 Time to take a break,  So I now have a list of books at my desk. Reading to clear my mind. Maybe to jog my idea bin. Yep, take a break and catch up on some books I've missed. Reading for enjoyment and reading to see how others treat characters, plot and dialogue. Opps, I'm having too much fun. Research can be so grand.

So that's what they say. 

My writing world making a few crazy turns these days. So I just need to hold tight. I will concentrate on the task at hand,- turning to my revision of a new project and bury myself in the work. Keeping my focus and working hard.

Hey, and you know, crazy turns can be magical...

 

 

Yes they can......

Survey On What Children Read from Pen and Ink Blog

I found this delightful interview with Victoria Krol from the Pen and Ink Blog. What a  smart charmer.

And an interesting survey on what others are reading. If you haven't finished these lists yet, it is not too late-- whatever your age. Me? I'm almost done.

And The Winners Are- Newbery Medal Announced

The 2013 Newbery has just been announced. Congratulations to Katherine Applegate.

I have one of the Honor books, Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage sitting on my desk right now, that I happened to nab from the Library this past weekend. So now I'm adding several more great reads to my "To Do" Lists.

I better get going.............