Tales from the Rushmore Kid

Critique Group Tips

I highly recommend writers to be involved in critique groups. I have been part of a writing group since I started writing back in the early 90's. Except for Barbara Beitz, my critique partner since the beginning, the members have changed over the years but the basic premise has stayed the same: to provide support and help each of us hone our manuscripts. I recently got together with several members of my writing group, Barbara Bietz, June Sobel and Barbara Jean Hicks, to record a few critique group tips.

Art for cash sake - Murals

I have painted many murals over the years. I have a love/hate thing with them. They are way too much work for way too little money. They are intensive manual labor. When you are done with them you can basically kiss them good-bye. Eventually they are painted over. With that said, I do enjoy an occasional mural. There is nothing like art on a massive scale.  The one pictured here was for a Mexican restaurant and the owners wanted some bright and festive flowers. I did have a blast with this one. I heard later that the restaurant was sold and I don't know if they kept the mural, but it is still alive in my heart.

Esther Hershenhorn - Blog Tour - S is for Story: a Writer's Alphabet

I have known of Esther Hershenhorn for many years, not only as a talented writer but as a dedicated regional advisor for the SCBWI.  I am so pleased to have finally met her and to be part of her wonderful blog tour for her new picture book, S is for Story: A Writer's Alphabet.  I give you the very kind hearted Esther Hershenhorn.

When and why did you start writing for children?

   

I knew at age six, while playing “Library” with my sister and friends, checking in and checking out our shared treasured books, I wanted my name on a children’s book someday.

INK - Interesting Nonfiction for Kids - Ink Think Tank

  I love this blog INK, interesting nonfiction for kids. It is one of my favorite group blogs and includes posts from 22 award winning nonfiction authors. Debrah Heiligman just was nominated for the National Book Award, for "Charles and Emma:The Darwin's Leap of Faith." All the authors have gotten together to form a new online database, INK Think Tank  to help educators find nonfiction books.

22 AWARD-WINNING NONFICTION AUTHORS LAUNCH FREE DATABASE OF CHILDREN’S BOOKS ALIGNED TO NATIONAL CURRICULUM STANDARDS

Twenty-two leading children’s book authors have launched a free online database of nonfiction books, www.INKThinkTank.com, designed to help teachers, librarians, and homeschoolers find the books they need to meet curriculum requirements in grades K-12.

Hester Bass - The Secret World of Walter Anderson

I met Hester Bass online through a list serve I am on and had the opportunity to meet her in person this year at the SCBWI national conference.  She is funny, kind and very talented.  Her fabulous new picture book on artist Walter Anderson from Candlewick Press has just come out and I am so pleased to have Hester Bass on the blog.

When and why did you start writing for children?




I remember sitting in our little library in my small town in Georgia when I was about six, imagining a book on the shelf with my name on it. I especially loved all the books by Beatrix Potter and wanted to write about that kind of world, where hedgehogs serve you tea and do your laundry.

Tina Nichols Coury - Interview with Class of 2009

Today I am featured on the Kidlit blog the Class of 2009.  For the past few years, YA & Middle Grade authors who have released a book in the same year have banded together to form a group to do joint promotions. 

I produced a book trailer for one of the members of 2K9 and the group asked if I would do an interview for the class blog. http://community.livejournal.com/classof2k9

Old manuscript art

Now it seems overdone, but at one time the publishing houses were crazy about pirates. I loved to create pencil drawings on colored Canson paper. I experimented with a drawing for an ABC book on pirates. This one is E for eye patch.  My ever obliging husband agreed to pose for the drawing. I never did publish that pirate alphabet, but my critique group member, June Sobel did.  Shiver Me Letters is a wonderful pirate alphabet book and I recommend it to all.

Children's Writer's and Illustrator Market 2010 - Book Trailer

I am honored to have an article in Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market 2010 on Blog Tours and Book Trailers.  Here is a book trailer I produced for the book.

Sketchbook Art - Kyoto - Japan

For something like 1000 years, Kyoto was the capital of Japan. Home of ancient palaces, museums and temples, this remarkable city is a feast for any artist.  Everywhere design and style have come into play.  This is Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion. It was built  for a retired Shogun and became a Zen temple after his death. Like many temples, it has wonderfully harmonious gardens, but what makes it unique is that it is painted in gold leaf. When the sun is shining, the temple glows.