Writing

In Between Books…Green Angel-Alice Hoffman

/ still a dreamer

greenangelThere’s always something a bit sad about finishing a book. Maybe the word is empty. For so many pages we’ve been engrossed in others’ lives, an adventure, an intimate voyage through the eyes of another … the story reaches its peak then twists, turns, slips into its resolution. The last page. And it’s done.  Sigh. Can’t there be more? (At least for the really good books.)

I recently finished Green Angel by Alice Hoffman, a MG novel that I came across while buying Christmas gifts in a local town’s bookstore. I like Alice Hoffman’s writing, and this was about Green, a 15 year old girl, a tragedy, guilt, isolation, survival, and ultimately redemption through love. How could it go wrong? It didn’t disappoint. Both magical and moody, Green Angel drew me in. But all too soon it was over.

In between books, I mentally, if not physically, pace. It’s a restless time. I survey the books I currently have on hand, waiting to be read. Plenty to choose from, including the other book I’d purchased at the same time in the Clinton Bookstore. But I’m not quite ready for that one. I roam from bookcase to bookcase, perusing those waiting to be opened, considering some rereads, then returning to books already begun and put aside for one reason or another. Where is the inner gauge pointing? Fiction? Non-fiction? Indecision.

skelligFast forward to a stop at my local library to try and find some reference material for an illustration I’ll need to start. There, among some book jackets featured in a display, a word jumps out – Skellig. I know Skellig. It’s a song from a favorite Loreena McKennitt CD, The Book of Secrets. I ask the librarian about this, and she assures me they are not related. Skellig the book is an MG novel by David Almond – hawk or owl feathers are in the cover illustration, and the back cover asks “Man, bird or angel? Who or what is Skellig?”

The time in between books is over.

Remembering Who We Are

/ still a dreamer

It really can be difficult to find the time to write, draw, dummy, or be creative when there is just too much to do. I do journal faithfully, nearly every day without fail, and on days when I want to blog, allow myself the luxury of that being my journaling for the day. But there are days when my journal entry looks like raging chicken scratch and a desperate plea for someone to toss out a life-preserver. We all have those days, sometimes too many of them.

wolfcandle

It’s these days in particular which remind us that it pays to have something REALLY simple we can do daily to help us get centered or calm regardless of what life has in store for us on any given day. For me, that’s lighting a candle. I realized some time ago that candles are not a luxury, but a necessity. So I always have a nice variety on hand, scents that I love and make me happy, and nice things to burn them in.

I don’t think it really matters what it is that we do, but just something small that grounds us. My morning coffee – also a necessity – does that, too, but the candle is different. Choosing the scent I want to smell, what holder I’d most enjoy and where to put it takes just moments, but starts my day well. Or better. A small ritual that sets the tone.

We all can benefit from starting our day, or even a task. with something easy and small, whatever it is, that clears us a bit, lights our way, and helps us remember who we are. Do you have some small daily ritual that gets your day off on the right foot and centers you?

New Year’s Resolutions – Wranglers of Dreams

/ still a dreamer

starsinsky

“Shoot for the moon.  Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”  ~Les Brown

It’s New Year’s Day – the day that folks sit down and make resolutions to do or not do the things that will help them be better/do better in the New Year – or at least that’s what the deal is always set out to be. And then ensues the guilt, disappointment and shame of either we or others failing to live up to our New Year’s Resolutions. A real Catch-22.

But what are New Year’s Resolutions, anyway? Sitting down today to do some writing on my children’s books and hopefully, some dummying of one of my stories, I looked at my own thoughts as I approach the New Year. I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions.  It’s already pretty clear where I want to go and what I need to get there; however, making that list can be a real double-edged sword. I’ve chosen not to make it. Here’s why.

New Year’s Resolutions are nothing more than the wranglers of our dreams. They are akin to rounding up those wild and wide-ranging dreams from starry skies and corralling them into a pen where we can number and categorize them. And tame them. The beauty of our dreams lies in their freedom. The beauty IS in who we are and who we can be.

Why not join our starry dreams in the sky and envision ourselves already there? Why not envision ourselves published with children excitedly reading our books rather than making dull lists about what we have to do to get there? The details will take care of themselves. It’s the vision that counts.  Open the paddock gate and let the dreams fly free, far, far away from encumbering lists.

Know that the vision and dreams live within your own heart; that’s where each New Year lies.

Children’s Book Glossary

/ still a dreamer

Whether a newbie at children’s book writing learning basic terminology or someone more experienced, it always pays to have a handy reference for the many terms in the field that we encounter. Have you found yourself wondering … What is back matter? What’s the big deal about Bologna? (And no, it doesn’t have a first name.) And what really is a graphic novel?

Wonder no more! Simply refer to Harold Underdown’s all-encompassing glossary of publishing terms and jargon from his book, “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Publishing Children’s Books.”  In addition, Underdown’s web site, The Purple Crayon, will provide a wealth of information for you on writing and publishing in this field.

It’s good to find concise information in one spot!

Inspiration

/ still a dreamer

Where do we get our inspiration? How is it affected by our moods?  Though not the case today, once was a time when the sadder and more tragic my life was, the more I wrote. To this day, I’d say some of my best poetry came from a sad place.

But why not joy? Why not both? Why not the endless mysteries of life? I find my inspiration to write and draw comes from such a myriad of places … searching for a fall image in my clip art or on iStock, I find myself momentarily lost in the soft, misty photos of autumn trees and roads, and I know down that road lies a story. And I can tell you it’s a wistful one.

Looking at a wmv file of dolphins creating their own rings underwater and then playing with and bursting them with their noses, I see a tale of wonder. I know there’s a story of swimming with them, to really be among them, and share moments of our intertwined lives and ancient histories. It might first be a tale of wonder, then of empathy and joy and lightness. In shimmering, watery blues.

While I work at the computer, I listen to the radio through iTunes. I’ve rediscovered one of my very favorite music genres on FolkAlley.com.  I’m once again entranced by the simplicity of folk music, and struck by the endless stories complemented by six and twelve string guitar. The music takes me back to another time when feelings were alternately bright and shiny, rich and deep, overwhelming and frightening – living away from home for the first time and in New York City. I’m at home with folk music. While connecting me to the past, it remains contemporary. The stories it tells bring me images for illustrations and I’m dreaming in rhythm.

Some days I feel myself a portal for infinite possibilities … inspiration everywhere. How about you?