SCBWI Conference ‘09
August 13th, 2009 by Sara
Another SCBWI Summer Conference come and gone! This year, I won’t bother to summarize what happened, since that’s already done so beautifully by the SCBWI ‘Team Blog.’ 
Thanks you guys!
Instead, I’ll give an illustrated version of a few moments that really struck me. I’ve stolen most of the beautiful pictures and illustrations from other talented people, Debbie Ridpath Ohi, Karyn Raz, Edith Cohn, Marie Miranda Cruz, Lee Wind, and the SCBWI Live Blog, so click on the pictures to check out their own versions of the events!
Holly Black: I pretty much wanted to copy down everything that came out of her mouth. For example, “All writing is in conversation with what has come before it.” She gave a talk about plot, citing her own struggles with it. Evidently when she started writing she didn’t know how to move the plot forward, so she had “lots of scenes with elves sitting around drinking coffee, experiencing ennui.”
She also did a break-out session about career, talking about practical and terrifying things such as when to quit your job (the ’safe’ answer is once you can live off your royalties), taxes (about 33%), and choosing which author’s career you’d like to have (she wanted Neil Gaiman’s, which I think is a fantastic choice). It was an incredibly concrete talk that made me really ponder career goals and attitudes. And here’s the best line from it.
Audience Member (speaking about benefits): “It’s in our publisher’s best interest for us to be alive.”
Holly Black: “Actually that’s not true.”
So now we know why it’s so hard for writers to get health care!
Karen Cushman advised us all that when it comes to our inner voices, it’s important to “separate the writer from the editor, the editor from the critic, and dump the critic.”
David Wiesner showed us how the shape of UFO’s and the movie The Shining, both inspired the picture book Tuesday. He also literally illustrated how ideas can try for years and years to express themselves through different projects, before they finally manifest.
Sherman Alexie inspired us all with his charismatic speech and eloquently reminded us about the nature of writing as well as its purpose. “You’re alone. You are doing this alone. But remember someone else is out there alone.”
And then, after so many insightful and inspiring words, we got to what the conference is all about. Boooogying at the Blue Moon Ball!
Posted in Authors, Conference, Illustration, Nifty happenings, SCBWI
August 13th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
I’m also a little miffed that my ‘pseudonym jokes’ didn’t win the joke contest. Here’s a few examples of my brilliance, just so I don’t have to suffer alone.
Charlotte’s Web by Hammon Rye
Mary Poppins by Wendy Day
Little Women by Minnie Skirts
I know, right?
August 13th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
i know, we worked so hard on those titles!
*The House on Pooh Corner,
by Porto Poddie
*Harold and the Purple Crayon,
by Violet Walls
and much, much more! thanks folks, we’ll be here all week. try the veal!
August 13th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Yeah, “Violet Walls” is an awesome one! It’s so fun to see what the conference highlights were for different people -especially my friends! So much good stuff packed into those 4 days! Thanks for sharing all this, Namaste and a Hug,
Lee
August 14th, 2009 at 11:04 am
This is a wonderful wrap-up–you picked great moments, some of my favorites, as well.
Laurie
Comic-Con 2009
July 30th, 2009 by Sara
Mid-July always feels like christmas to me. That is, if Santa was a Trekkie who loved kids’ books. July means Comic-Con and right on its heels comes the SCBWI Summer Conference.
I can’t imagine any two events more saturated with great minds, creative talent, and genuine inspiration. So it was with a huge grin on my face that I walked out onto the expo floor on Wednesday night. And Comic-Con did not disappoint.
There’s an infinite number of ways to amuse yourself at Comic-Con, a point that my friend and fantastic artist Andy Mitchell literally illustrates here.
One of my favorite ‘distractions’ of the long weekend was Quick Draw! It’s a battle of speed and humor pitting 3 artists against each other. This year, it was Sergio Aragones from Mad Magazine, Scott Shaw from Hanna-Barbera, and Floyd Norman from Disney.
Displayed on giant projectors, their hands raced to draw a cross between a armadillo and a dung beetle, or to get a member of the audience to guess a secret word, or to illustrate scenarios. Here’s Sergio Aragones’s answer to “Tragedy strikes Donald Duck.” 
I also got a chance to hear Holly Black, author of Tithe and The Spiderwick Chronicles talk about outlining a novel and “the process of ingreatening it.” She confessed that her original outlines often consist of “insert genius idea here” or “evil is defeated.” It’s lovely to know that fascinating stories can still materialize out of humble beginnings.
She also spoke about how lazy her characters are. Holly Black lamented that, while other writers talk about their characters dictating the story to them, her characters spend the whole book trying to get out of being the protagonist. She quipped that they don’t want to go on a quest, they just wanna go home. Again, I found these confessions from such a great writer very reassuring.
I had other shining moments this weekend. Hearing Ray Bradbury talk about the moon landing, Eoin Colfer and Mary Pearson sharing their author experiences, and literally running into Seth Green. But what struck me most is that Comic-Con is a giant party of people that all love the same things. All kinds of artists gather together to show each other how they make their art and how much that art is appreciated. It’s a place where you can shake your hero’s hand and snap a picture.
Where you can meet the stars that make your favorite characters leap off the screen. Or imagine what it would be like to be them.
Where the guy who made the homage t-shirt is thanked by the guy on the t-shirt. Here it doesn’t matter if you’re an artist, a collector, a writer, a reader, an actor, or a fan. Because at Comic-Con, everyone is part of the same great story.
Posted in Authors, Books, Illustration, Nifty happenings, SCBWI, Writing
July 30th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Gotta get myself there next year. Still dreaming of that Indian food we had last year. Some people go for the comics, me, it’s yum, yum in my tum san diego food.
July 30th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
YAY! I love ComicCon! Haven’t been since 2007 but perhaps next year, ROAD TRIP!!!
Great recap!
July 30th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
I will admit that I had some tasty dessert at Yog-art. Coconut+ Mochi+ chocolate frozen goodness = Nomnomnom
July 30th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
When do we get to see a photo of you in the wolf suit? I will not rest until I see it!
July 31st, 2009 at 7:11 am
That picture will have to wait a week or two… it has one more appearance to make first:) Then there will be pictures galore!
August 1st, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Oooo. Sounds like so much fun and great inspirstion! I am so jealous of all yout conference experiences this summer. Can’t wait to hear about them – live! ; )
August 1st, 2009 at 5:23 pm
That was supposed to be inspiration -I’m clearly going blind.
August 6th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
That’s gotta be as cute as Anya in the bunny suit!! I want to see! Now!!
Summer (conference) Reading
July 22nd, 2009 by Sara
When I was a kid, my library, like many others, had a summer reading program. Every book I read racked up points towards stickers or McDonalds french fries or, my most coveted prize of all, the knotted pencil. How did they even do that??
It was the highlight of my summer and I always read a ton of Newberys cause they were worth more points. It’s also how I discovered one of my favorite all-time books, Journey Outside by Mary Q. Steele, which, tragically, pretty much no one else has ever heard of. Luckily, I read it enough times for all of you.
Sigh. Those were the days.
Well, there’s no prizes for this list, but if you’re going to the SCBWI Summer Conference or you just want a good summer read, these books might come in handy. 
These are some of my favorite books written by authors coming to this year’s conference. It’s YA biased and I’m only including books I’ve read, so some great ones are probably left out. I apologize in advance!
Skin Hunger by Kathleen Duey -Awesomely dark fantasy, compellingly told in both first and third person.
King Dork by Frank Portman -Best made-up band names in the history of the world.
Catherine Called Birdy by Karen Cushman -Cause medieval humor is the wackiest!
Tithe by Holly Black- Creepy fairies and teen angst…what better combination is there?
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie – You will literally laugh and cry at the same time.
A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park -Exquisitely written, need I say more?
Millicent Min, Girl Genius by Lisa Yee – It’s funny cause it’s true. Millicent’s humor is totally authentic.
And lets not forget picture books! A couple of my favorite illustrator/authors are going to be speaking at the conference this year.
Every Friday by Dan Yaccarino – I can’t say enough good things about this simple, perfect father/son story.
Tuesday by David Wiesner – Flying frogs. Let me just be clear about this. Flying. Frogs.
Whether you’re a writer or a reader, summer is a time for sitting on the porch, munching on an Otter Pop, and falling into a book. And each one of these is a perfect place to spend your summer vacation.
Posted in Authors, Books, Conference, I heart this book, Illustration, Nifty happenings, Picture books, SCBWI
July 22nd, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Woo hoo! I’ve read all these awesome books, too! These are (some of) my favorites, too!!
To this I would add that the chapter book/young middle grade According to Humphrey series is outstanding.
But what’s this about a Newbery no one’s heard of?? Now I’ve got to track that down!
July 22nd, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Thanks for the recommendation! Anyone else have books we should add to the list?
And I totally have a copy of Journey Outside that you can borrow and the story really holds up over time.
July 22nd, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Excellent suggestions. I’ve been meaning to get to King Dork for a while, and now I have to look into Journey Outside.
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:44 am
Totally into Skin Hunger now. Stopped for five seconds to check my email, but I am glued!! Thanks for lending. U the best friend eva!!
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:06 pm
I’m so glad! I just saw Holly Black speak today and she was really great. I can’t wait to hear her whole talk at the conference.
Field Trip!
July 15th, 2009 by Sara
There’s nothing like a field trip to break out of the routine and make some trouble. Today, a group of illustrator/writer friends of mine packed our lunches, got on the bus, and descended upon the best kids’ book store in LA. And by “the bus,” I mean our gumless, bully-free cars. And by “packed our lunches” I mean pancakes at John O’Groats. Sometimes I love being a grown-up!
Children’s Book World is a wonderful, well-stocked bookstore full of staff who love books and want to help you fall in love with them too. They’ll work hard to find a perfect book-match for you. Or if you want to have a good book debate, they’re the right people: smart, funny, and with definite opinions. It’s a joy to go there and see what’s new, what the staff likes, and what people are reading.
Last year when I read 1000 picture books in 100 days, the folks at Children’s Book World were lifesavers, creating delicious piles of books for me to read while I sat on their comfy couch. By the time I got halfway through the pile, they had already replenished it with a never ending stack of perfect books. As you can see, the tradition has continued.
It was also wonderful to have illustrator friends Ken Min and Karyn Raz there to share their favorite artists and new picture books. There is nothing like savoring picture books in the company of picture book creators.
And I had a kids book first. With my friend, Wilson Swain, there in the bookstore, I bought The Castaway Pirates, a great pop-up picture book that he illustrated. Then, there in the store, he autographed it for me. Today was definitely a day for reveling in creative successes, wonderful stories, and talented friends.
Posted in Authors, Books, Illustration, Nifty happenings, Picture books, The Great Picture Book Read
July 16th, 2009 at 10:04 am
Looks like fun! Next time do invite your cuddly friend, Edith!! She promises to keep her gum in her mouth and out of your car.
July 16th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
I’m totally truckin’… just don’t let the Pigeon drive. Vroom. Vroom.
July 20th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
The next time I am visiting you in LA, I would love to have CBW on our itinerary.. I’ll bring the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, you bring the kool-aid. lyb
Books of the Week: Illustrators
December 17th, 2007 by Sara
I’m constantly delighted by the illustrations in the picture books I’ve been reading. Here are a few illustrators that have really captured my imagination.
Dan Yaccarino
(Every Friday, Trashy Town)
Mark Teague
(How do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight, The Secret Shortcut)
David Shannon
(No, David, Duck on a Bike)
Steve Jenkins
(Move, Actual Size)
David Wiesner
(Tuesday, Flotsam)
These illustrators show a creativity with their subject matter that brings you closer to it. Their pictures invite you into the story and stay in your mind long after. Whether it’s the simplicity of line, the movement within a still image, or the depth of detail, all of these illustrators and their styles are a joy to look at and read.
Wanna see who else I’ve been reading?
Posted in Books, Books of the Week, I heart this book, Illustration, The Great Picture Book Read, Writing
December 22nd, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Hi Sara.
Jude sent me your website and I love keeping up with your writing and reading. Best of luck for 2008 – It will be a special year for you I feel sure.
Congratulations to Tony for his work on Compass. We enjoyed it, especially all the R&H work.
Merry Christmas to you both.
Words VS Pictures
December 10th, 2007 by Sara
My friend, Tonilyn, asked me the other day if I thought illustrations and text were a 50/50 partnership in picture books. Hmmm…. lets find out.
Fight!
Illustrations can make or break a picture book. You cannot have a great book without great pictures.
Mediocre Text + Fantastic Pictures= Good Book
Fantastic Text + Mediocre Pictures= Mediocre Book
Ouch! I’m sure there are exceptions to the ‘Law of Pictures’ that I’ve just totally pulled out of my b… uh… brain. But, 
ultimately, illustrations have the power to bring a book to life. They engage and capture us. If the pictures don’t resonate with us, the reader, if they don’t give us a rich, active world, then the story and characters are never going to win us over.
But wait! Words still have a chance here. I mean, they come first. The words are what inspire the pictures. Without words, there are no books. Right?
But, what about Flotsam by David Wiesner? Or Rainstorm by Barbara Lehman? They don’t have any words.
Okay. Without stories, there are no pictures. I suggest that authors and their stories are what inspire the pictures in the first place. If the words don’t hint at more than just what’s on the page, or if they give too much detail, then the illustrators can’t create wonderful pictures. Words and stories are critical in their ability to fire up the imagination of both the illustrator and the reader.
Ooops. Does that mean, in this fierce battle to the death, that pictures and words really are an even match?
Ummm…
Good question.
Posted in Books, Illustration, Picture books, The Great Picture Book Read, Writing
December 10th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
it is certainly an interesting dance that words and pictures perform. but this article? PERFECT. Player 1 Wins!
December 12th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Maybe we need to separate out the word half of it – and acknowledge that there are (at least) two components that make up the words: The story, and then the text that tells the story. I’ve definitely read some books where I loved the story but I thought it wasn’t told from the best viewpoint, or in the most exciting way… So I think maybe it’s 40% story, 10% text, and 50% pictures for picturebooks. And yes, those statistics are straight out of my Brain, too. In a novel, I’d go for 50% story and 50% text… how much of that is character, I’m not sure…
hmmm…
who knew math would come in so useful?
One for my baby and one more (page turn) for the road
November 20th, 2007 by Sara
That last page can make or break a story. At the SCBWI Schmooze the other day, someone asked what I was learning from the Great Picture Book Read of ‘07. So here’s the biggest thing. It’s not enough to have a good story. You must have a great ending.
A ’sweet’ last page ends up feeling cheesy if it’s not combined with a giggle. The ‘quiet’ ending leaves you trying to turn one more page, sure that the story isn’t actually over. As a writer, it’s important to ask, is that final page going to deliver a laugh? A twist? A zing? At least a smile? If the reader is going to feel satisfied, it really needs to.
Marla Frazee and her editor, Allyn Johnston, talked a lot about this during the summer conference. Even for a simple book like Everywhere Babies, they sweated over the ending. The last page turn was originally super sweet. I think the picture was a parent hugging a baby and the text went something like this:
“Every day, everywhere, babies are loved…. for trying so hard, for all that they do, for being so wonderful…just like you!”
They wanted a zingier ending, so the text was changed to this and was paired with a baby taking her first steps.
“Every day, everywhere, babies are loved…. for trying so hard, for traveling so far, for being so wonderful…just as they are!”
This was definitely less sweet, but still didn’t give them that final zing they were looking for. So, they kept the new text, but changed the picture. Now, in the published version, the page spread before the final page is a kid’s first birthday party and the final page reads “Just as they are.” With a baby grinning proudly with cake all over her face. This change transformed the final page turn from an ‘ahhhhh….’ to a chuckle. And it makes for a much stronger book.
The perfect ending is definitely tricky to do. Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst brings us a laugh at the end by giving a twist to the repeated phase, “I think I’ll move to Australia.” The book ends with “Mom says some days are like that. Even in Australia.”
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs written by Judi Barrett and illustrated by Ron Barrett and Miss Nelson is Missing written by Harry Allard and illustrated by James Marshall both use pictures and text to give us a tantalizing hint that everything is not exactly as it seems.
Often, the final zing is completely in the pictures. Olivia by Ian Falconer is a classic example of the visual last page turn. On the final page of the books, you get to see what grand dreams she is imagining. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems is the same way. Mo Willems even uses the end papers to show the Pigeon imagining himself driving the big rig. Pssst! by Adam Rex uses a visual twist masterfully, though I won’t ruin the surprise. David Wiesner is also a master at this in Tuesday and Sector 7.
Though this may sound a bit obvious, the entire book is leading up to the ending. The final page turn often determines whether the book will make a lasting impression on the reader. It’s your last chance to win over the reader or get that final smile. So make it a good one.
The End
Posted in Books, Illustration, Picture books, SCBWI, The Great Picture Book Read, Writing
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Max Dare and the fantabulific picture book
October 11th, 2007 by Sara
Adam Rex (aka Max Dare… if you like anagrams) gets a gold star and a gazillionbillion exclamation marks. And maybe, even, a couple of smiley faces.
His picture book, Pssst!, is wonderful, fabulous, and so very, very funny. The style of his pictures, the hilarious details, the 
surprise of the story blow me away.
It has everything a great picture book needs. An engaging story that keeps you reading. Strong characters that you care about and can relate to. Kid (and adult) friendly pictures with a definitive style and a clear focus. And, most importantly, a ‘zing’ at the end that leaves you satisfied.
These elements are much harder to weave together than they sound. It’s even harder to do it brilliantly. As a result, there are very few ‘perfect’ picture books out there. This is one of them
Adam Rex, you’re my hero.
Posted in Books, I heart this book, Illustration, Picture books, The Great Picture Book Read
Books of the Week: Caldecott Books
October 5th, 2007 by Sara
It’s unusual for a book from the 40’s to still be on the bookstore shelves, but Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey is an exception. Not just because of its timeless story, but also because of its Caldecott Medal.
The Caldecott is given each year “to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.” It’s the illustrator who receives the award, but the book as a whole has to be superior, as well. So this week, I decided to find out what makes a book a Caldecott. It’s been enlightening.
The thing about Caldecotts is that they generally stay in print. So you have a sampling of books from the last 70 years. It’s amazing how much picture books have changed. And how much they haven’t.
Take the 2005 Caldecott Medal winner, Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes. This book has a simple, sweet story about a kitten mistaking the full moon for a bowl of milk. The pictures have a clean and simple style with bold lines and soft, night time colors. This book could’ve been created at anytime, ever since cats have been gazing up at the moon. It has a classic feel with a lovely, traditional picture book story and structure. Picture books haven’t really changed.
But they have. And Smoky Night illustrated by David Diaz and written by Eve Bunting shows this clearly. This magnificent story takes us out of the normally safe and snug domain of picture books and throws us into the middle of a riot. These are not ducklings at stake either, but children, families, and neighborhoods.
Styles change too. This year’s medal book, Flotsam by David Wiesner is a complicated
So, looking at all these picture books, have they changed over the years? Ummmmmm, excellent question. But unfortunately, I have an urgent appointment I just remembered. Gotta go!
Take a look at other Caldecott greats I read this week: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, Tuesday by David Wiesner, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, Olivia by Ian Falconer, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig, Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg, Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type and illustrated by Betsy Lewin.
Posted in Books, Books of the Week, I heart this book, Illustration, Picture books, The Great Picture Book Read
October 10th, 2007 at 1:58 am
I am devouring your picture book reading recommendations. Yay!! I love having my PBs hand-picked for me by Sara!!!
Thanks to you, I’m now completely in love with Click, Clack, Moo, among so many others!
Kitten’s First Full Moon looks awesome. Gotta check that out.
:D
r
Evil Genius Husband
August 12th, 2007 by SaraMilitant Slugs. Mutant Giraffes. Amoeba Teachers. This is what Today’s Artists are thinking, dreaming, and drawing about. 
Or at least the unbalanced people at Rhythm and Hues Studios.
Tony’s joined a collection of artists from work who look their creative sides straight in the eye and say, ‘Um…hello?’ Each week, ‘The Drawing Board‘ illustrates a new topic. This week’s topic, your favorite fat superheroes, definitely inspired Tony to take his creative side out to dinner, complete with in-depth discussion. As a result, he created a spectacular, slightly pathetic, and quite likable superhero. Congratulations, Tony. You’re AWESOME! Weight Watcher, Away!
Posted in Illustration, Nifty happenings
August 20th, 2007 at 6:46 am
That kicks Big Patutey!!!Is that a word? That is not only the best superhero I have ever seen…but the best drawn!!
