I THINK I CAN, I THINK I CAN.....My Work in Progress

Still after this revision creature.  My Chapter book has changed and I believe, for the better.

Is all this work, reading, critiquing, reworking, researching and reworking again- paying off? We shall see. 

 And I hate to admit- I'm enjoying it so.

Needing My Plot Whisperer to Keep me on Track

Yes that is you, Martha Alderson. I'm leaning on you again as I revisit my revision process. Loving all your videos on how to improve the story.
This video struck home with your words:
A BIGGER VISION FOR MY REVISION 


Now let me get back to my chapter book.  
Oh, let me make my plot graph one more time.

Edit, Edit, Edit

As I comb through my chapter book and I prepared to do some revision work,
I find myself checking out how others work through this process.

Just where to begin.
I found Nathan Bransford's blog on how he edits with many great insights and ways to approach this (overwhelming at times) task.

Using Meaningful Verbs

When Beth Hill says verbs bring action, she means it. Such an excellent article from Editor's Blog that explains the many verb problems and successes.

Now back to some of my revision work waiting on the desk.

New Year's Plans

So I've started my list. All those New Year Goals.
But I"m taking it slow, making sure I haven't missed ones I really need to focus on while not wasting time on others. Ok, so sketching more was one of them and playing around with black and white work was my project for today.

A Visit from St. Nicholas

By Clement Clarke Moore

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds;

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,

Gave a lustre of midday to objects below,

When what to my wondering eyes did appear,

But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer,

With a little old driver so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blixen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;

So up to the housetop the coursers they flew

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too—

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack.

His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly

That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight—

“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

PEACE

Such a busy time of year. Take time to savor important things.

Holidays Coming

In between projects. So hard to start something new with all the hustle of the holidays coming. Drawing some while I focus.

Plot Graph Excitement

Hmm, nothing makes me more excited than to find a great tool to use with my writing. I'm working on the third chapter book in my series and after using all different types of ways to keep my plot and subplot clear, I found a blog by Nancy I. Sanders with an excellent plot outline graph. AND YOU CAN PRINT IT OUT AND GET STRAIGHT TO WORK. Lots of other tidbits of good stuff here also.

Don't I just feel on top of the world.

The New SCBWI Blog Is Open For Business

The wait is over all SCBWI members. The SCBWI Blog looks great, with clearer more direct links to everything a writer and illustrator for children's books would want. Take a tour and enjoy.

Chapter Book Illustration

Time for postcards. I'm planning a mail out to several art directors with black and white line art for middle and early chapter books.
I do so love the depth of texture and form you get without using color. It is always an adventure whether you are using strong crisp lines or soft blurry forms.
If you are an Art Director and haven't received yours, just let me know or stop by www.kitgrady.com.

Does Writer's Block Scare You?

Yikes, Me too. So I'll just draw a while until all clears-