Author: still a dreamer

Writing from the Heart

/ still a dreamer / 1 Comment

I was having a conversation with one of my writer friends the other evening, both of us commiserating about our pre-Conference stress. The conversation moved on to her most recent accomplishment, finishing her YA novel for an editor who had requested it and the resulting feelings. She mentioned that she thought why it was so difficult for writers to complete their novels was that they were grappling with some kind of personal issues which were playing out through the novel and its characters.

That rang true, and I reflected back on an experience of my own. I was reading one of my recent picture book manuscripts to a dear friend of mine over the phone. She loved it and started to laugh. “What’s so funny?” I asked. “Gee, could it be any more autobiographical?” she answered. This hadn’t occurred to me, perhaps because the MC was an animal or perhaps because I was just too close to it. But then I started laughing, too! She was right!

What’s the one piece of advice we consistently hear from editors/agents? Write from your heart, write what you know. And no matter how clever the disguise, how can we possibly leave ourselves out of the equation? Now it may be more obvious in some MS than others, but in looking at our own writing, there are certainly themes, unresolved issues, challenges, dreams … our heart. If we allow ourselves to write from our truest self, we write from our heart.

And that’s the very best thing we can bring to the table.

In Thanks to Those Who’ve Served

/ still a dreamer

Thanks to the brave men and women who have served this country in defense of our freedom, and those who continue to do so. We honor and remember you this Memorial Day.

Thanks also to the war dogs who have served this country since WWI, saving countless lives of our soldiers abroad, and still do today.

Ahhh, To Be Published!

/ still a dreamer

As the big annual NJ SCBWI June Conference approaches, I am one among many who is beginning to stress out. I’ve had discussions with several friends, not all fellow writers and illustrators, trying to determine what exactly it is that gets us all so wound beforehand. Editors and agents have been wonderful and helpful at the various conferences and mentoring workshops we’ve attended; there is a convivial and supportive attitude among all participants; it’s a vast learning opportunity. So why so stressed, kiddo?

One of my friends felt it was performance anxiety which tends to hit creatives especially hard. I can buy that. I was thinking perhaps it’s because we all go with such high hopes. Pick me! Publish my story, and yes, thank you for accepting me as its illustrator, too. Who doesn’t bring her dreams wrapped carefully in an elegant velvet scarf or tucked jauntily into her portfolio, waiting for the moment to reveal what some unsuspecting editor or agent has been just waiting to be wowed by – the best story and illustrations ever!

I was following a few links to blogs about children’s books before I wrote this – what some editors and agents say they’re looking for, great hooks in your stories, and then on to the blog of Jay Asher, who wrote Thirteen Reasons Why. I haven’t read the book, but I believe a friend of mine has. What struck me in visiting Jay Asher online was that first, he had his own blog … which detailed his book signings, event participation and school visits. Then I see his book has its own blog AND his MC has her own blog. Holy Moly!

I was both daunted and excited. Could this happen to me? Of course, it could! And the joy and wealth of experiences it will bring to my life when I get there are just glittering on the horizon.

Breathe in. And exhale. And again. Ahhh, to be published!

French Bulldog Art …. Applied

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It was most recently my pleasure to do a small portrait for a woman in Walla Walla, WA who inquired about my doing a drawing of one of her French Bulldogs for a new business card. Between running my own Graphic Design business and applying myself to my writing and illustrating of children’s books, I didn’t know if I wanted to do a portrait. It’s something I have put aside in the interest of focusing on my future in children’s books. But I felt called to do this and felt I was getting a nod from the Universe. It somehow seemed significant that Toni Myers lives out by two of my current favorite authors, Sherman Alexie and Patricia Briggs. Plus I knew it would keep me refining my French Bulldog art and drawing skills.

Toni sent me a baby picture of one of her French Bulldogs, Truman. Toni and her family have show Frenchies and a small, conscientious breeding program, We Be French Bulldogs. She asked if I might incorporate her favorite flower, a purple pansy, in the image. I accepted the work, and we had a great working experience. I loved doing the work – both the portrait and the business card incorporating it  – and she and her family loved the results. What’s more, I had the opportunity to work with a truly delightful woman who now will be a part of more of my own French Bulldog work in children’s books.

Such an arrangement had never crossed my mind; in fact, I wasn’t quite sure why this iniitally seemed such a good thing. But I do believe in synchronicity —  things align in time and space for a reason. Surely this was one of those events, and it put smiles on two faces clear across the country.

You can order Frenchie cards and other items here!

Note: All illustrations, drawings and photographs are © Jeanne Balsam and may not be reproduced in any format without written permission. Thank you!

What IS That in Your Shopping Cart?

/ still a dreamer

How often do you go food shopping and find yourself looking at someone’s shopping cart filled to the brim with junk food and over-processed food? And often as not, with a child or two hanging onto the side of the cart. I don’t know about you, but I nearly fall over when I see all that heavily processed, chemicalized, sugared food … and fed to children. Yes, I know how busy we all are – I’m one of those people – but I also know that we are becoming an obese, increasingly unhealthy nation. Childhood obesity is at an all-time high, and stroke, heart disease, diabetes and cancer are killing us all way too young.

I read a lot about the food we eat and try to eat as wholesomely and purely as I can. As much as I possibly can purchase or afford is organic. I make most of my choices in consideration of what has been added to our foods along the way, (hormones, antibiotics, pesticides), or how they have been altered, (GMO), the horrific cruelty involved in getting animal products to our plate, (most meat), how the environment is affected by the production of that food, and when possible, how the workers who produced the food are treated/compensated. I know most people are not as deeply concerned about what’s on their plate as I am. And I also know  it’s still quite possible to eat well without all the considerations that I choose to make.

I recently read am article in the March 2010 issue of Prevention magazine about the 50 healthiest everyday foods, and a simple pictorial guide as how to stay with the healthiest choice, and skip the highly processed choice, plus a health/shopping tip at the right. Each line had 3 columns, for example – 1st choice – an apple – 2nd choice – and somewhat processed – applesauce and 3rd choice to be limited and highly processed – apple toaster pastry.  Whole grain bread, wheat bread, fortified white bread. Fresh chicken breast, deli-sliced chicken and chicken nuggets. You get the idea.

Most people may know at this point there is next to no chicken in chicken nuggets, but did you know that pasture-raised eggs may have 35% less fat, 60% more Vitamin A, and 200% more omega 3’s? This article is a little gold mine of short, concise facts.

I was very disappointed that I could not find this article on Prevention’s web site to link to – I think for the average consumer, it provides a straightforward guide about how to make better food choices. That third column is what I see an awful lot of in shopping carts nowadays. So if you’re reading this, I may already be preaching to the choir, but eat whole foods … stay in the left column .. and maybe we’ll meet each other when we’re 90!