Thoughts on Picture Books

As I mentioned Monday, I recently finished reading all the picture books on the 2 X 2 reading list. I am currently working on several picture book manuscripts, so for me, it is especially interesting to see what type of books are being published.

I read a lot of picture books. With my son, we usually average about two a day, so the numbers pile up pretty quickly. While we re-read quite a few of his favorites, we are also frequent library patrons, so we often try out new picture books as well as the classics.

We often hear from editors and agents that taste is subjective - that what doesn’t appeal to one person may be just the right thing for another. In fact, that’s just what was mentioned in my most recent rejection letter.  After reading so many picture books this summer, I have to say that seems to be very true.

In looking for picture book patterns, there is definitely a trend toward shorter picture books. There is often a lot more snarky humor now than in picture books from the past. But overall, the range in styles, subjects, and complexity is still quite broad. Right when you think they aren’t making any more quiet bedtime books - you find a new one. Editors and agents may tell you they don’t want ABC books, and then one appears on all the recommended reading lists. Authors are told to keep their word count fewer than 500 words, and then a 1500 word picture book is released to rave reviews.

What’s a struggling author to do with all of these mixed messages? It is helpful to try and pay attention to the patterns, especially in the competitive market of picture books. Perhaps though, it is more helpful to work on the craft of writing to help your picture book stand out. The better of a writer you become, the less you will need all those extra words, and the easier it will be to cut down your word count. The more you expose yourself to all different types of stories, the richer you can make your own story. The more you experiment with strategies like different points of view, rhythmic patterns, lyrical writing, and unique voice, the stronger your manuscript will become. Picture books may seem simple on the surface, but they require the same elements of a good story as a longer work. So let’s keep honing our craft to create beautiful, fun picture books. The market for a broad range of stories is still out there, and even more importantly, there are children (and parents) waiting for your contribution to it. 

Summer Challenge Check-In #11

Hi everyone!

  I hope that this has been a great week. I'm excited to say I accomplished 1/3 of my Summer Challenge goals this week. I have finished all of the books on the  2 X 2 reading list (for ages two to grade two). They were especially fun because I got to enjoy them with my son.

  I'm still working on finishing the Bluebonnet books by Labor Day and my writing goals. I've decided to set myself a deadline of finishing the first draft of my current middle grade novel by the end of the challenge. The former journalist in me works best on deadlines - so that should be some good motivation.

  Keep reading and writing!
  Take care, McCourt

Gratitude for my Writing Community

We are two months into our summer accountability challenge, and I personally am really enjoying it. In addition to the accountability factor (which is incredibly helpful), I’m having a lot of fun getting to know my fellow writers better. It is great to hear about their challenges, their adventures, and the ups and downs that go along with their writing process.

I have been a member of SCBWI for more than 6 years now. I’m still working toward my goal of publication but even though I haven’t been published yet, I can honestly say I don’t feel like my time has been wasted. I have met so many wonderful, encouraging people - so many that I consider my friends. The conferences I’ve attended have not only been beneficial to my writing, but great experiences all around. I’ve met authors that I’ve enjoyed since childhood, and newer ones that I am in awe of their talent. As a true book nerd, just being in the same room with all those authors is truly inspirational and a whole lot of fun!

Writing is by its nature a solitary pursuit. It seems like it should be a lonely one as well. But honestly, I feel like I have more friends since I began writing - and even better, they share my interests! SCBWI is often referred to as a “tribe,” and it is definitely an apt description. It is truly a blessing to have such an encouraging group of people supporting my dreams. Thank you all!

“Nothing can make our life, or the lives of other people, more beautiful than perpetual kindness.” - Leo Tolstoy

“To be really happy and really safe, one ought to have at least two or three hobbies, and they must all be real.” - Winston Churchill

“All we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about.” -Charles Kingsley

Some great conference moments with author Gary Schmidt

With author Henry Winkler (aka the Fonz)

August SCBWI Houston Book Reports

Hello everyone!

First I want to say thanks so much for Blue Willow Bookshop's Cathy Berner's informative report on some really great books from 2013-2014 at this month's meeting. We are lucky to have such knowledgeable people in our Houston book community.

If you haven't been to Blue Willow Bookshop - I highly recommend them! They offer such great programs and service. It's worth the trip! Check them out at www.bluewillowbookshop.com.

Here's Cathy's list for this year's meeting:
Picture Books:
  President Taft is Stuck in the Bath by Mac Barnett & Chris Van Dusen
  Take Me to Your BBQ by Kathy Duval & Adam McCauley
  Locomotive by Brian Floca
  I Am Otter by Sam Garton
  All Different Now: Juneteeth, the First Day of Freedom by Angela Johnson & E.B. Lewis
  The Adventures of Beekle, the Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santant

Middle Grade Novels:
  Loki's Wolves by K.L. Armstrong & M.A. Marr
  Ghost Hawk by Susan Cooper
  Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald
  The Secret Hum of a Daisy by Tracy Holczer
  The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy

Young Adult Novels:
  Half Bad by Sally Green
  We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
  Love and Other Foreign Words by Erin McCahan
  Noggin by John Corey Whaley

Upcoming Books:
  Picture Book: Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads by Bob Shea & Lane Smith
  Middle Grade: Following Flora by Natasha Farrant
  Young Adult: The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone by Adele Griffin
                          Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld

What a great list! I now know what will be on my bedside table after I finish all the Bluebonnet books.

Here's my selections for this month:

How to Lose a Lemur by Frann Preston-Gannon (PB)
Norman, Speak! by Caroline Adderson & Qin Leng (PB)
The Expeditioners by S.S. Taylor & Katherine Roy (MG/YA)

Happy Reading!

Summer Challenge Check-in #10

Hello all,

  I hope that everyone is having a great week. It's hard to believe that August is here. All of my writing this week was focused on my term paper for my Library Management class. If you have any questions about Bookmobiles, I'm your girl!

  I also requested all of the Texas Bluebonnet books and 2 X 2 Reading list books that I haven't gotten to yet from the library, so I should be working my way through the rest of those this month. So far, I've read half of the Bluebonnet list (10 out of 20 books) and 16 out of 20 of the 2 X 2 list.

  Hope everyone is making lots of progress on their reading and writing challenges!
  Take care, McCourt

Why Libraries Matter

I'm going to venture away from the topic of writing this week to share about another issue close to my heart. As many of you know, I'm currently in Graduate School earning my Masters Degree in Library and Information Science. When I share with people that I'm in library school, many times I get the reaction, "Will there even be a need for libraries in the future?"

I am at the library right now as I write this, and the place is full of people at 7:30 pm on a Wednesday night in the summer. There are 11 branches in our county library system, and we have visited many this summer to take advantage of their great free children's programming and the Summer Reading Program. So I know that here in the suburbs of Texas, the libraries are getting a lot of use.

But what about other places in the country? Are libraries needed there? I think the first thing people need to realize is that libraries offer so much more than books. Books are important, of course, and are what initially led me to pursue my dream of being a librarian. However, they are only a portion of the resources and opportunities that libraries provide.

I recently saw this video which I really think emphasizes the importance of libraries, perhaps more than ever in this day and age. I found the link under #librariesmatter on twitter. I'm not actually on twitter myself, but you can still read twitter even if you don't have an account.

Here is a video produced by Julie Dressner and Jesse Hicks about the services offered through the New York Library System. The link is from The Atlantic and takes about 10 minutes to watch (and does have one of those annoying commercials beforehand), but I believe it is well worth your time. It should help you respond if someone ever mentions that libraries aren't relevant in today's society. I think it shows that couldn't be farther from the truth. Enjoy!

If you can't see the video below on your browser, here's the link: http://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/371084/why-libraries-matter/

Summer Challenge Check-in #9

Hi everyone!

I hope y'all have had a great week. I'm so glad that a lot of people enjoyed my post last week with some of my favorite things. It was a fun post to put together.

My writing week has mostly been focused on a term paper that is due for my Library Management class. It's about Bookmobiles - so it has been fun to research! Hope y'all's writing week is going well.

  Take care, McCourt