A Song of Six Pens

Six Pens Interview with Jean Daigneau

By Gloria G. Adams

This week we're featuring an interview with author and former Northern Ohio SCBWI Regional Advisor Jean Daigneau. Jean has found success writing magazine articles as well as picture books and middle grade novels.

1. How long have you been writing?

As a kid I always had pen pals and loved writing long chatty letters. I wrote poetry in high school and actually enjoyed having long term papers to do for homework. But my biggest connection to writing and my childhood is the middle grade novel that my friend Claire and I wrote in 6^th grade. It was called Billy Bixby and it was a story about a boy and his dog Mopsy and the trouble they got into. The first line was, "Fetch it, Mopsy," yelled Billy Bixby, one bright sunny day as he threw a stick across the yard. We thought we were so creative because the first chapter - about Mopsy getting loose and running into a corner grocery store and knocking down a display of eggs - was called "The Egg-cident." Unfortunately, we both had fires at our homes at some point during our childhood and assume that Billy Bixby was lost somewhere along the way. I'd love to see that manuscript again.

2. What made you decide to try to get published?

I started writing professionally around 2000 when my best friend Linda encouraged me to submit a rhyming story that I had written for my first grandson Ty for publication. I knew absolutely nothing about writing for children or publishing, but I sold the manuscript within five weeks of submitting to a small publishing house in California. And a couple months later I sold another picture book to them. Ultimately, neither book was ever published and I withdrew the manuscripts on the advice of Jane Yolen…yes, THE Jane Yolen, because the company was having a lot of problems and I was hearing some well-grounded stories about their troubles and people, like me, not getting paid. The company is still around and while I've always questioned whether or not I made the right decision, the whole experience gave me the confidence that I really could write children's books, so that's my silver lining to the whole thing.

3. What is your process? Do you have a regular schedule? When do you write?

My process is pretty scattered, but when I'm in the throes of a project, I'm quite obsessed. I've learned to write in short snippets because I work three part-time jobs and my days are pretty full. I'm not good at disciplining myself to write every day or write at a certain time every day, but someday I hope to have the luxury to be more focused. I have a lot of interest in nonfiction, especially history, but some of my ideas have come out of nowhere and have started with something as minimal as a title. I like to have at least two projects going on at the same time - preferably something longer like a middle grade novel and then a picture book - so that as inspiration flows I can go back and forth.

4. What was the first thing you published?

My first publication was a short piece called "Nice Surprises" for Clubhouse magazine back in 2002. It was a list of random acts of kindness that kids could do for neighbors, classmates, and their family. I remember the thrill of opening the magazine to my piece and finding that they had misspelled my last name!

5. What it is like writing for Highlights magazine?

I love writing for Highlights because I enjoy doing nonfiction. It was especially fulfilling for me because I worked with editor Debra Hess for the four pieces I sold to Highlights for their "What a Pro Knows" feature and another for "Gallant Kids". It was wonderful to have a personal connection with an editor - I loved calling her "my editor" - and I'm hoping that I can establish the same connection with Judy Burke, who has taken over for Debra. While I have been published in other magazines, writing for a magazine with the reputation and credentials of Highlights is especially fulfilling, because I know how difficult it is to get accepted by their editorial board.

6. Why did you decide to look for an agent?

I had had a number of "near-misses" with several picture book manuscripts and have a notebook full of rejections, many of which are extremely positive and include personal notes from editors. But I never quite made the leap to getting published in the book market. When Vicki Selvaggio, former regional advisor for SCBWI Northern Ohio became an agent, I was given the opportunity to meet with her and discuss my work. Vicki had heard me talk about one particular historical fiction manuscript and really liked the story. So, she asked to see it. I was very clear when we met that whether or not she accepted me as a client had nothing to do with friendship and everything to do with feeling like I was the kind of client she wanted to represent and that she could sell. I say that fate and luck brought us together, but hard work and perseverance got me my agent.

7. What is it like to have an agent?

For me, having an agent is a dream come true. I know that Vicki is working hard for me and that she wants exactly what I want - to sell writing that is the absolute best that it can be. It's also encouraging to know that as things change in the field of publishing, that she can open doors that I would not find open on my own. That, for me, is HUGE. But, I will tell you that Vicki knows her stuff and she is not afraid to push me to the upper limits of my skill. The picture book that we both love went through at least 9 or 10 revisions after I submitted it to her, and that was after it had previously won an SCBWI Barbara Karlin Award Honorable Mention a number of years ago. But, I think many of us assume that when we get an agent, the contracts are going to start flowing in and that's just not true. It's just as hard to get published whether or not you have an agent, because children's publishing is still a changing field to break into. And the agent now has to be sure that the project s/he is representing is the absolute best since their name is tied to it as well, so there's a lot on the line for them, too.

8. What is the most frustrating part of being a writer?

For me the most frustrating part is not having the time that I'd like to put into my writing. And sometimes when I do have the time, I don't always have the discipline to stay focused. Writing is hard work, plain and simple, and even extremely short projects (like the 46-word picture book I just resubmitted to Vicki) can cause a lot of stress, self-doubt, and frustration. The words don't always come together as easily as I'd like. But the knowledge that I have found success in the past and the hope that every new project that I send out might find a home reaffirms the importance of all that hard work.

9. What's the best part?

Being in two critique groups and having another one-on-one writing partner have been the best parts of writing for me. I would absolutely NOT be doing this or finding the success I've had without them. Hands down. Of course, getting something accepted and seeing it in print is extremely rewarding. But the friendships and connections I have made with my critique groups and with people that I have met over the years through the SCBWI and as the Regional Advisor for the organization have definitely been wonderful. Then, too, the hope that one day something that I have published might somehow touch the life of even one child in a positive way is something that I dream about.

10. What advice would you give aspiring writers?

I would say get into a critique group or find a writing partner and don't submit too soon. I sent out plenty of stories that I worked very hard on and that I thought were my best. But when I continued to work on them later or as I continued to revise and submit with the suggestions of my critique partners and/or my agent, I am always amazed at how much better they can be. I see a lot of authors self-publish, and while I have no problem with that, I think the ease with which that can be done nowadays makes it way too easy to turn out work that really is not a writer's best. And, isn't that what we all want to show the world? Our best?

Jean, thanks for stopping by and taking time to share your experience with us. We wish you much success in your future endeavors!

New Books to Share!

By Lisa J. Amstutz

Hi all! It’s been a while since I’ve written - there’s been a lot going on. But I wanted to share some great news with you. January was an exciting month, with the release of nine new educational market books. As always, Capstone Press did a fabulous job of putting these together and they turned out beautifully. Here’s a peek at what’s new!

Gardening Guides

Books in this series offer a range of gardening projects for the young reader. Gardeners will find tips and techniques along with step-by-step instructions accompanied with full-color photographs that make every planting project fun and easy. From an indoor fairy garden to an outdoor vegetable patch, these projects will spark the creativity of every level of gardener. Read more about each title here.

Backyard Bird series

Four new titles in the Backyard Bird series were released this month. Each book in this series introduces readers to songbirds they might encounter in their own backyards. Readers learn basic facts about each bird, including habitat, behavior, life cycle, and identifying characteristics for their own bird-watching experience. Simple, informative text is supplemented with full-color photographs and range maps. Learn more at http://www.lisaamstutz.com/birds.html.

The Science Behind Track and Field

Behind every long stride, high-flying pole vault, and perfectly controlled discus throw, science is at work. As a high jumper takes off, potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. A discus thrower builds up momentum while spinning. Find out how science is involved in Olympic track and field events and how athletes take science into account in their quest for the gold medal. See http://www.capstonepub.com/library/products/science-behind-track-and-field/ for more details.

All of these books are available from my Amazon store. You can also purchase them directly from Capstone or through most major online retailers.

A Writer in the Library

By Gloria G. Adams

As children’s writers, we are always reading and learning from other writers. My visit to my local library today resulted in some great finds.

The Day Everything Went Wrong by Moritz Petz.

This is a delightful story with a great message, presented in a perfectly NON-didactic way. It’s a good example of how to accomplish this feat, which many writers find difficult to do. Badger has so many things go wrong, that he sets out to complain to all his friends. But instead, they start complaining to him and he helps them solve all of their problems. He returns home to a happy turn of events and the day turns out to be a good day after all.

Song for a Summer Night: a lullaby by Robert Heidbreder & Qin Leng

This soft, lyrical lullaby offering is a great example of a cumulative rhyme as well as the use of onomatopoeia. Children peer out their windows to see all the night creatures, from fireflies to raccoons. While the rhyme is sometimes strained, and flowers don’t make noise, this still works as a predictable book that children will want to read again and again.

Spy Guy: the not-so-secret agent by Jessica Young

This is a great way to teach young children that even if you don't always do things right, you should never give up because "the secret to spying is never stop trying." There's a lesson here for parents, too: Instead of telling his child the secret, the father gives the child the opportunity to solve it himself and discover the lesson on his own. The cat's expressions are priceless and looking for the spider on every page adds another layer to this clever, well-done book. For a writer, it’s a good example of how much can be packed into a very sparse text.

Rufus the Writer by Elizabeth Bram

Writers will love this book! Rufus decides to sell stories instead of lemonade and he gets his ideas from his friends who show up at the story stand. No money is involved; Rufus trades his stories for the items his friends trade for them. They also serve as his story prompts. This book will not only help children learn how to get ideas for stories but it will spark ideas for grown-up writers, too.

Thoughts on NaNoWriMo

By Gloria G. Adams

Thought #1: Why is this thingy in November?

Possible answers:
1.    The month begins with an “N.”
2.    Writers have procrastinated all year and this is their last chance to actually “get something done.”
3.    Real answer: Because the weather is miserable in November. That’s according to one of the founders (Chris Baty.)

Thought #2: Why does this work?
1.    It just does
2.    Well, not always, not if you quit.
3.    Real answer: Because people tend to perform when they have to be accountable to someone else.

Thought #3: Can I do this if I am a children’s author?
1.    Yes
2.    Of course
3.    Real answer: Number 1, Number 2, and mine’s a middle grade novel, so 25,000-30,000 words, not as long as an adult or young adult or new adult novel (50,000 words+)

Thought #4: Why am I doing this?
1.    I want to finish my novel
2.    I want to finish my novel
3.    Real answer: I want to finish my novel

Thought #5: Why don’t I do this every month and not just in November?
1.    Because it sounds overwhelming
2.    Because I get lazy
3.    Real answer: both of the above.

This is the first year I am actually DOING NaNoWriMo. I made a spreadsheet on Google Docs and shared it with my writer friends and we plan to get together a few times and write. But it’s there for them to see and I am diligently filling it in. And it is working.

I participated in a “writer’s boot camp” once, same kind of concept. I only made it through half the month, then quit because it was a mystery and I needed to stop and actually outline first. I am not a “Pantser.” But I managed to write 16,000 words and I have the bones of a fairly decent adult novel. But mostly, I was so surprised that I was able to get that much done and I realized it was because I had to be accountable.

This process really can work. Will I have a highly-polished, ready-to-submit manuscript on November 30th? Heck, no. But I am hoping to have a pretty decent one that will not take forever to reach that polished state.

So, while this is not an “official NaNoWriMo,” it is my version and it is helping reach a goal. If I reach this one, I plan to do NaNoWriMo every month because that’s what the most successful writers do. If you read their tips, that one is always there: write every day. NaNo adds a specific word count per day to that, which makes it more challenging. But every challenge needs specifics.

Is it overwhelming? Yes! Will I get lazy? Probably. But if I make myself accountable, I know it’s possible.

So I need a name. “Not Just November Novel Writing Month? (NoJuNoNoWriMo?) or “Write Every Day of the Year? (WriEvDaOfTheYe?)

Hey, I’ve got it! NaNoWriMoEvMo (National Novel Writing Month Every Month.)

Who’s with me?

A Writer Rejuvenated

By Kate Carroll

Have you ever attended a retreat? How about a revival meeting?

Attending the Northern Ohio SCBWI Conference is like going to a retreat and a revival at the same time! It’s both intensely introspective and wildly inspirational.

If I may plug SCBWI for a moment…Through this organization, I found two amazing critique groups, learned how much more I need to learn about my craft, and added new tools to my writing box that helped me to publication.

This past weekend’s conference did not disappoint. As much as I attend the conference to learn, and I do, I also meet fellow writers who love writing for kids as much as I do. We are an unusual group of professionals who actually celebrate one another’s successes and encourage each other, from honest critiquing, to praying that a phone call from an editor goes positively for a fellow writer. People blow me away with their genuine care for my growth as a writer. I think this may be unique to kidlit writers, but heck, I’ll take it!

I left the weekend pumped to jump back into my projects to massage them, to strip them clean, to delete them if necessary and to make every manuscript I have, ”bookworthy”. (Thanks for that phrase, M. Lamba)

Vegas is not the only place that corners the market on secrecy. What happens at the SCBWI Conference stays at the SCBWI Conference. So, I can’t really share all the fabulous stuff I learned. Suffice it to say, it was pretty awesome. But, rather than leave you hanging, I’m excited to offer a cool link that children’s author, Shutta Crum, shared with us and I have her permission to share it with you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvFfYkDaEiQ

Enjoy!

Now, go write some great stuff.

Sense-ational Writing

By Gloria G. Adams

If you’ve been in the writing world for very long at all, you will have heard the admonition to “show, don’t tell.” The best way to do that is to bring all five of your senses into play. It makes everything more real and relatable to your reader. But how do you do that?

Prolific author Dandi Mackall suggests making a chart of the senses and going through your manuscript to see how often you’ve used each sense: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. You may find that you’ve missed one or two of them altogether!

One effective strategy is to go to an actual place. Maybe it’s a beach, a restaurant, a lake, etc. Soak in everything around you. Then write down several things you experience from each of the five senses. Do the same for the scenes in your story.

What can you touch with your hands or feet? Sand and surf? Rough concrete sidewalks, mud between your toes, silk fabric? What touches you? The wind? The brush of someone’s hand against yours? Or-eww!- is that a spider crawling on your leg?

Smells can set a mood; a kitchen can smell like freshly-sizzled bacon or rotting garbage. Compare the feeling you get in a room full of clean baby fragrances to a long-empty room that’s clogged with dust and dirt or moldy walls.

Sight is probably the most often used sense; amp up your adjectives to give your reader a feeling as well as a picture. Use “scabrous” or “brambly” instead of “rough,” “gelatinous” or “feathery” instead of “soft,” “silvery” or “dingy” instead of “grey.”

Sounds can make your character cringe, tingle, jump, scream, or cry. Sounds can remind them of a childhood memory or warn them that disaster is about to strike. Use them to add drama to your scenes. Think of the sudden roar of flames, a loud horn, cheery bird calls or raucous rooster crows, a child’s frightened scream or happy giggle.

Taste gets overlooked frequently. But it is something that everyone experiences and can pull your reader right into your scene. Who hasn’t accidentally burned his or her tongue on hot coffee or cocoa? What dessert has been either sensual in the extreme or as dry as cardboard? Next time you eat something, think about how you would describe it in your book and use it to make your characters more interesting.

Bring one of your characters into each of the settings below and describe how he or she experiences all five senses in each one.
1.    A hair salon
2.    A butcher shop
3.    A hospital
4.    An urban alleyway
5.    A farm