“Let’s,” I replied. In case you didn’t already know, you know now who keeps me in check. And busy.

There is much I want to share from the past couple months! Where to begin?

I’ll start with Hattiesburg, Mississippi…I was very fortunate to attend the Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival (WOW, AMAZING!!!) where I received the Ezra Jack Keat’s New Illustrator’s Award and faced my biggest fear of speaking in public — one planned speech and one surprise-to-me-speech (gulp) in front of authors I admire ten-fold and hundreds of librarians. I think I did ok, but most importantly, I survived.

ALSO, I…

- drooled over Ezra Jack Keat’s original art. OMG!!!! I learned SO much in that hour of staring UP-close!

- am treasuring this book, a gift from my new friends in Hattiesburg. Deborah Pope also read a heartfelt letter from her father, Martin Pope, who was best friends with Ezra since they were kids. You can read Marin’s words here.

- toured the outrageous de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection (whoa–an impressive treasure!). the highlight was a 50ft + (?) long fabric collage mural by Esphyr Slobodkina!! I would love to create a huge mural someday and when I do, I’ll look to this for inspiration!

- was hosted by some lovely, lovely people (!!), and soaked up inspiration, wisdom and stories from extraordinary children’s book authors!

- scratched hashmarks of some 30-something times I was ‘hit’ by surprise from tidal waves of goosebumps during the talks. So much of Jane Yolen’s talk is still playing in my head. I’ve also got Jane’s  “The Alphabetics of Story” on my mind.

- geeked out with librarians :) and loved spending time with the other award winners!  Meg, Micha, and Nicola and I shared about art, writing, inspirations and motherhood.

- was beyond excited to meet Anita Silvey and hear her lecture on the history of the American Picture Book. I am hooked on her Children’s Book-a-Day Almanac!

Can you tell I had a wonderful time?! It was awesome having Patrick and Tulsi with me, too, and this photo reflects how grateful and energized, inspired and dreamy I felt (and still feel). Weeeeee!

Last week I came upon The M.A.P.P. Gathering, an incredible, growing ocean of mamas, coming together to relate and share, encourage and ignite each others’ flames. The Gathering is a series of interviews with some amazing, wise, gentle, BRIGHT soul-mamas who are all wholly passionate about their mothering AND their “work”: Brene Brown, PhD, Jennifer Louden, Renee Trudeau, Jill Savage, Sara Gottfried, MD, Pamela Slim, Kelly Rae Roberts, Tsh Oxenreider and Andrea Scher (links on the M.A.P.P. site). The gathering was initiated by Lisa Grace Byrne who I keep thanking over and over in my head and heart — and I have only listened to 3 of the conversations so far!

Lisa describes it as, “a collection of intimate conversations with a handful of mothers who have followed their passion and are making a beautiful difference in the world.” For any mamas out there, you know how connecting intimately with mama-friends can be a saving grace…and how it gives you strength in countless ways? I think you might find that (and more) in listening to these conversations while nodding and saying “YES!” and reflecting on your own walk of motherhood.

I feel like sometimes on this path of mothering there isn’t a lot of time to reflect, with days passing so quickly and diving straight into my art in any “me-time”. Rare alone-walks (thank the goddess, are happening a bit more and more) seem to be the best time, although honestly, I enjoy going empty and silent, too. That is why The Mother’s Wisdom Deck project (coming May 1st) was such a gift for me even though it was fast and furious. I poured so much of my experiences and emotions, courage, endurance and intuition into the paintings, which helped me grow as well as reflect inwardly. And HOW I am ready for even more connecting and mama-energy and honesty and opening on this path. We (the authors of the Deck and I) are currently creating another mama-community-site, which is set to launch in a couple weeks. I hope you will join us then AND upon reading this post, run over to The M.A.P.P. Gathering to sign up and join the expanding, awesome conversation of mothering. I know you will be grateful you did!

I just created a page “FOR KIDS” (and parents, teachers, big kids…) — it is now in my menu above. I think it’s super fun, and I hope it will inspire young authors and illustrators. At the top is an interactive page with 27 different “clicks” that shares some of my writing & art process and research for Same, Same but Different. Scroll down further and there are videos, postcards, journal entries, and more coming soon… Please share with your kids, their schools, your teacher friends, and let me know what you think. :)

When talking with some book friends last week about this, we all related. So we compiled links, advice, and thoughts that we’ve gathered along the way — so we could have it on hand to give to anyone who inquires. For any of you reading this who “have an idea for a book”, or who have a burning passion deep down to create children’s books in this life, we hope this provides you with answers to your questions and inspires you to make your books. Feel free to ask more questions in comments or share advice of your own!

Publishing FAQ: The Complex and Tricky Road to Getting Published:

Listed below are some very helpful websites, organizations, and tips that have been compiled by writers and artists working in the design, art, and children’s book world. This information will help you on your way to publishing your children’s book.

Writing, Illustrating, and Publishing Children’s Books: The Purple Crayon
This is written by an editor in the business and is very thorough and full of information!

The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
This link will take you directly to the FAQ list and covers so much information.

The Children’s Book Insider
http://write4kids.com/collect.html
http://cbiclubhouse.com

The Heartland Writers Group
(for those in the Kansas City area looking for a critique group)

“The Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market” is a book that should have all the information on what the different publishing houses are accepting these days, how they like to receive their inquiries, and who to address them to.  It should also be able to direct you toward writer and illustrator agents.

Some helpful websites for self-publishing:
http://www.ehow.com/how_107987_self-publish-book.html
lulu.com

THINGS TO CONSIDER:

*Don’t be too eager to “just get published”.  It’s important to learn your craft.  Write and draw a lot so you can figure out your style and get really good at it.  If a weaker story gets published but it doesn’t sell well, they won’t ask you for a second.  If you put out an exceptional manuscript and it sells great, the publisher starts asking you “what are you going to do for us next?”

An editor likes to nurture relationships with authors and illustrators and build a career.  Taking the time to finesse your manuscript at the beginning will really pay off because quality work always finds a good home.

*Take a writing or poetry class at your local University

*Take a field trip to your local library or bookstore and look for books that speak to you and are in the style and spirit that you’d like to pursue.
Take note of which publishing houses publish those stories. Those are the editors you’ll want to get in contact with. (See “The Children’s Writers and Illustrators Market”)

*Join a local critique group (or start one!)
Try to be open to other people’s critiques and suggestions. Build up a thick skin.  If something in your writing raises a red flag it’s worth revisiting even if you decide not to change it.  Writing is a process so you can’t fall in love with your own words too early.  Don’t make a manuscript precious…make it malleable so it can be reworked from front to back and from inside out. You shouldn’t have to explain a thing—the words should stand on their own.  Say what you’re trying to say in as few words as possible.

Keeping in mind that writing is a process, don’t share your idea too soon. Make sure it is fully formed before you get feedback. Create a little distance between yourself and the script before presenting it to a group. Sometimes putting that story away for a while can be revealing when you bring it out for a fresh look.

*If you are a writer AND illustrator, it is really helpful to make a ROUGH (B&W line drawing) dummy of your book.  This will help you edit, see what is and isn’t working, and will help develop your story. Refine and revise this version and submit it to an agent or publisher with your proposal. This will show your vision in the best and clearest way. Be sure to follow the submission guidelines according to the SCBWI website (listed above). Here is my example of the book dummy process.

*Keep your query short and start it with the most exciting excerpt from your manuscript.  Hook them right off the bat.
Keep your letters professional without trying to sound clever or cutesy.  Don’t add copyright signs (circle c) on each page because it is a sure sign you’re an amateur (heard that from an editor at a conference).  Send in manuscripts with artwork only if you’re doing both.  You can suggest an illustrator but leave that decision up to the editor.  Most likely they will want to pair a new author with a seasoned illustrator and vice versa to help the sale of the book.

*Many writers and illustrators have an agent who takes care of their publishing connections, job inquiries, billing, contracts etc. If you plan to write more stories, you may consider getting an agent. Many editors will not look at a manuscript unless it is vetted through an agent, though this is not a hard and fast rule. The main reason an agent is helpful, (for both writing and illustrating when just beginning) is that they can give your manuscript priority over the “slush pile” since most editors have a huge stack of inquiries from writers of every level. Although an agent may require a 15-35% commission, (depending on whether the agent represents writers or illustrators) many writers and illustrators find it helpful to have someone else marketing their work, finding homes for their manuscripts, and taking care of the business end of the book world so they can concentrate on their art.

Publishers are being very careful about what they’ll accept these days because the future of the book as we know it is changing. But they will ALWAYS need new ideas and stories in one form or another!

*Attending an SCBWI conference is also a great way to make personal contacts with editors. There are usually one or two editors speaking at these events and most conferences have “pitch sessions”, one-on-one time with the editor, available for attendees.

Hopefully this information will be helpful to you on your journey toward becoming a published author. While the road to publication is tricky, remember that no two roads are the same, and with hard work, revision, and time, that road can ultimately be rewarding. This is best evident when you get to share your book with a child!

Here’s wishing you all the BEST in your endeavors!

Sincerely,

Betsy Snyder
www.betsy@betsysnyder.com

Elizabeth Haidle
www.ehaidle.com

Jenny Sue Kostecki Shaw

Jenny Whitehead
www.jennywhitehead.com

Laura Huliska Beith
www.laurahuliskabeith.com

This week was a tough one. We all have Spring colds and felt pretty miserable. On the positive side, Tulsi and I got 24-7 snuggle time for about 5 days straight. :) Today we all began to feel a wee bit more like our normal selves. This afternoon Tulsi and I sat side by side, drawing for a big deadline tomorrow. She sensed I felt a bit cloudy and stuck, maybe because she heard me say, “this is awful. Mama can’t draw.” And she replied, “See Mama?” and proceeded to take me on a ride through one of her magical drawings.

Thanks, Tulsi. It was JUST what I needed. No fear. Don’t think. Just play.

When she was finished, I said, “WOW! Your drawing makes me so happy.” And really, I was amazed and totally inspired. And she’s just turning 2. It’s only just begun.

I went back to drawing, and as I began, Tulsi said, “WOW, MAMA! Tulsi Happy!” Click here or on the drawing to watch her demo on my Facebook page.

Above: Tracy McGuiness and her son Roy, at work on a mural at Roy’s school in the U.K.

Eight years ago when I was first in Nepal volunteering at Sunshine School, the students and I created a 60′ mural in their playground on a brick wall. I didn’t have any paint supplies and ALL that was available was big pales of white paint and teeny dyes of primary colors. Still, we did our best and had a really fun time. And it was the perfect activity to practice English. Sadly, the dyes were no better than food coloring, and the mural slowly washed away with the monsoon rains. :)

Kid art has always been a HUGE inspiration to me. They are so free spirited and see no rules or boundaries. When Tulsi started coloring, I gave her a 3′x4′ sheet of foam core and she would sit in the middle and twirl around, coloring with two crayons at once. She seemed to be sculpting her world as she felt it. It was amazing to watch.

Have you ever heard Picasso’s quote, “All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” It’s such a huge responsibility to ‘let them be’ with their art, don’t you think? To inspire without drowning their spirits. They are such sacred years.

I’ll never forget when I first sat in on an “art class” in Nepal. The 4th graders were at their desks copying exactly what the teacher was ‘attempting’ to draw on the large black board: Mickey Mouse. My heart literally sunk. I had never “taught” art before then, so I looked to my favorite instructors for inspiration. The first thing I did with them was to leave the school grounds. The rooms were small, stuffy and dark and way too small to stretch out. We walked around their ancient village and just looked at the intricate, wood carvings on the temples and the old palace and all its sculptures. And we drew “on location” — my FAVORITE painting class in art school. I honestly don’t think the kids had ever drawn from their own eyes before because they stared blankly at their paper and pencils and asked, “How should we draw the temple?” I don’t remember what I said, but I’m thankful I didn’t say too much. And truly beautiful, unique interpretations came to life that were ALL different. I’ll never forget Bina’s temple that reminded me of an ornate wedding cake and Niraj’s very circus-like houses and temples patterned with jester-type clothing. Watching these kids discover how they saw and find joy in expressing themselves was just awesome. I’ll never forget it.

Whew. I didn’t know I was going to write about that when I started this post, but my friend Tracy‘s mural photos brought up those memories. Tracy is a painter/illustrator/mother in the U.K. who I knew from way back at Hallmark. I liked her instantly, especially her free spirit and vision. She has sent me quite a few quirky photo shoots with her son in hand-made costumes and his drawings of robots and monsters that always get my own imagination going. Sometimes she sends her illustrations inspired by his drawings. She recently sent me these photos of a mural project she created at her son Roy’s school (which she and her own mum also went to as kids). The coolest thing about this mural is how she collaborated with the kids, collaging their art with her’s. Check out all the photos of the process and details on her site here. She explained how they “coated local newspapers with translucent paint (to reveal words/names from the surrounding area) and cut out shapes to create the characters to collage onto the background, very much as a homage to the Henri Matisse ‘paper cut outs’ style.”

I just LOVE it! Tracy obviously inspired the students to PLAY in their art, and she did such a cool job of integrating it all with her own art. It makes me want to collaborate more with Tulsi. And HOPEFULLY one day return to Nepal, and create another mural at Sunshine School with the kids and Tulsi — a mural inspired by Tracy’s!!

A couple months ago, I received this incredibly beautiful book, Nurturing Walls, from a, somewhat abstract, internet friend in India (hee. I love that we live in a time that we all have these ‘friends’ out there who we’ve never met but love that they exist in space and in our lives :) ) What an amazing parcel to be gifted, right? Actually, it was one of ten or eleven beautiful books, but this one on the Mandana art of the Meena women is my absolute love. These women are true artists and create in such a unique, collaborative way. The book is a work of art, too, with their designs silk-screened on brown craft paper. Any of them could be framed…if you could possibly part with extracting them from the book. Their art is painted on clay walls and floors during festivals and the change of seasons, and is cherished in its impermanence. I think I’d prefer to paint like this, too, and let the natural elements wash and wear it away in time. I just love everything about their art. The spirit is contagious, no? I have already asked Patrick if we can visit Rajasthan during our next trip to India with the hopes of meeting some of these women, and perhaps, the slim chance of learning from them. I wonder if they sing while they paint… (Anyone out there every tracked down tribal woman of another culture to study an art form from? If yes, can you share how it came about?) In the meantime…remember that bedroom and entrance/mudroom we started building in May? We finished and now have 8 new, bare mud walls pleading to be painted with white clay paint, Mandana-inspired!!…below is one of our bedroom walls after the first coat of mud. YUM! I’ll be sure to share when I get to painting it.

Also, check out the publisher of the book, Tara Books, in Chennai, India. They have so many inspiring books!

And Joy, thanks again!! I look forward to gifting my part of our trade :)

It happened! For real. Five of us children’s book authors and illustrators gathered up at our homestead for our “first annual kid’s book retreat”. I originally got the idea for this last winter when hearing about a women’s creative workshop at a remote and inspiring lake-cabin location. Considering time, finances, Tulsi, and the idea that IF I could have a few days for a creative retreat, wouldn’t I rather spend it with friends and fellow illustrators/authors trekkin’ the same path as me? Well, of course…!

We rented “the Barn” next door for a long weekend. It is a funky+fun analog recording studio/creative space owned by our good friend. It was the perfect space. I can’t say I did much art or writing at all, nothing complete anyhow. More like energy fragments. (Tulsi wanted to be with her mama and new girlfriends!) But as soon as I let go, I mean really let go of any expectations I had of myself and this time — I moved thru a lot. Ideas I’ve been stewing over grew and expanded and my energy/inspiration cup got refilled. We spread out on the floor like artists do :), made a mess, played with words and rhyme and images, listened to great music, told stories, wrote 5-sentence stories, drew maps of memories, shared our current/recent book projects and brainstormed on each other’s new book ideas (SO helpful). We shared our art and writing process, our strengths and struggles, gave little demos, swapped inspiration and ate yummy garden meals. We talked about the business and marketing side of books, too: promotion and festivals and school visits. I also had a really great talk with my friend Jenny who is a mama of 2 girls (and who also stayed at home with them before they reached school age).

And throughout, we simply related to each other, which was incredibly supportive. Thanks gals!!

Here is a map of my backyard by Laura Huliska-Beith!

And below: L to R: Tulsi, me, Laura Huliska-Beith, Jenny Whitehead, Betsy Snyder, and Beth Haidle,. Wander thru their sites — they are all so inspiring! The garden was also a sweet source of food and colorful inspiration! I was so happy the ‘big’ frost hadn’t come yet!

Another inspiration highlight: our visit to the amazing Folk Art Museum in Santa Fe!

And below: a few doodles I made that weekend for a project I’m working on. As suggested by the crew, I’ve been creating a whole digital library of patterns for a design project I’m working on. (A GREAT suggestion, too!)

The retreat was JUST what I needed. I feel so lucky. We are already planning the next one. I highly recommend this to others…take the time, round up some friends and go on a creative retreat!

Photos complimentary of Betsy Snyder and Jenny Whitehead.

a sweet, still moment from a recent visit to the Lama Foundation nearby. these mountains ground me in a way i’ve never felt prior. i am so grateful for living in such a beautiful place with endless inspiration.

So, remember that cigar box I’ve been stuffing with story fragments scribbled on note cards? I laid out all the cards this week and tried to decipher then. Some just made me laugh out loud, others confused me incredibly. And some really got me excited. I started moving them around, mixing and matching. It felt great! Like playing Dominos or putting a puzzle together. It was a new route to storytelling that was really freeing. I wrote on more cards to fill in gaps until I could sorta see a story appear. I didn’t worry about being wordy – I’m just trying to find the story right now, not polish it. I typed out a draft based on my ‘story card sketch’. I don’t know if it’s any good yet. I can’t judge it now. I just have to keep following it to see where it goes. Next, I’m going to draw a super rough dummy that will help me edit. I already know I’ll be editing a lot of words out and adding those images/ideas into the pictures.

I’ve been writing a lot this week, and one thing I noticed is that each story I write takes its own shape, in its own time and in its own way. I wrote My Travelin’ Eye (Henry Holt, 2008) on the back of an envelope (inside and out) and drew the pictures for the dummy with a fat, orange Ferby pencil with my left hand (it was the only way I could ‘relax’ and feel like little Jenny Sue). It also took having the dummy and story two-thirds of the way finished, and nervously reading it out loud to some friends, in order to really hear what was working and what wasn’t. It also helped me figure out what the ending would be.

Making a dummy is still the best help (for me) in editing and finishing a story.

With Same, Same but Different (Henry Holt, 2011), I played with different versions out loud while going for long walks with my dog in the mountains (it took a whole lotta walks over a couple months) to figure out “how” to write it and from what perspective. Then I wrote it in a colored/striped notebook and drew a dummy. It took a, “Sorry, I can’t sign this book,” from my editor, to push me even further (creatively) to make it better. She didn’t like the ending, so I came up with a better one. Then, I read it to my sister over the phone (who is a gradeschool vice principal) who helped make an even stronger ending (thanks, Renee!). I showed it to my editor the next day, and she loved it.

Once, when I was visiting with a group of 3^rd graders, a student asked, “Does anyone help you with your books?” I answered, “YES! My husband, my editor, my family, my friends, my dog. And I am so grateful they do!”

You know that old saying, two heads are better than one?  Well, multiple heads are better than two.

But a lot of that help tweaking and pushing and shining up the story comes later. Later, as in after I come up with “the” story, which is where I’m at now. This part of the journey is a solo one and takes a whole lotta time, patience and humor. I’ve learned to laugh a lot at the silly ideas that come out of my head.

I’ve been working on another story off and on for a few months, too. It’s all written on a piece of paper that I’ve been carrying in my pocket. I’ve been liking the ‘idea’ but not sure of the voice. Just this morning, while nursing Tulsi, a very clear point of view came, which seems like it just might bring it together. See? Even Tulsi helps me! It’s not always about physically writing the stories. Sometimes, it’s simply being quiet in those spaces in order to hear them.

For me, the children’s book retreat I’m doing in September with some friends is the additional, time-sensitive motivation that is helping me. I’m hoping to have at least one story (but hopefully 2 or 3) far enough along to share and get feedback to help push and pull my words and ideas in ways I just don’t know how to by myself. I can’t wait!

Anyone working on stories? Do you have a routine or ritual around writing and editing? Do you have a writing group? Use a thesaurus? Write while standing on your head or hanging from a tree? Please share!

• First, I covered the rough, concrete floor with those cushy (and affordable) puzzle mats. This was essential.

• I found a fun, thick soft wool 5×8 ft version of this rug on overstock.com

• Next, I converted a lower cubby on my bookshelf into a music space with drums, rattles, shakers, flutes and more. She LOVES it and really knows how to shake her booty when we drum! I also moved books for her on the lower, reachable shelves and put storage in the cubbies with doors.

• I traded out my computer chair for a big, bouncy exercise ball (which I prefer anyway). It’s softer and safer (no hard edges to bump her noggin on), takes up less space, inspires spontaneous back bends and yoga, and it’s fun to bounce and roll and drum on.

• I have samples of my Oopsy Daisy art that I give away or that sit in storage, so it was fun to hang my World Wonders growth chart on the nearby bathroom door. I just marked: Tulsi 13 months: 29 1/2″, 18 lbs, 1 oz !

• When I was little, my favorite spaces to hang out were in my closet and in our kitchen closet underneath the table-desk. I thought it’d be really fun to create a similar, sweet space beneath half of my work table. First, I replaced the awkward, funky old table end with this perfect book/toy shelf that our friend made just to fit this space.  (I’m still debating whether to paint this a fun color with flowers or with chalkboard paint…or to paint the wall where the painting is now, with chalkboard paint…ideas?)  I found another fun rug on overstock.com, hung up my original painting of Kimono Moon from Oopsy Daisy Fine Art for Kids, added some soft pillows for leaning up against the side of my flat files, and topped it off with a sheer, silky curtain for playing peek-a-boo, taking spontaneous naps (if those ever happen…), or for times when she’s older and wants to just be in a closet (like I did, hee).

As this art+play space was still being converted, Tulsi got into a couple basket drawers full of collage and inspirational images…

She helped me do some spring cleaning which inspired a new play house that she LOVES.

One fun part about “sharing my space” with Tulsi is that, when we aren’t outside in the garden, she wants to be in here playing — and just playing in this studio-play space (even when I’m not working) seems to really fuel my ideas and energy for making art. Tulsi is the best studio mate! It feels really perfect. “All” it needs now maybe is some fun dangly, mobiles from the ceiling…

Here is Penny’s blog post about a studio-playroom she created last year, although I think she’s since moved from it and maybe will be creating another one soon. Has anyone else made one? What did you do? I’d love to hear more ideas!