Quotes on Gratitude

“The miracle of gratitude is that it shifts your perception to such an extent that it changes the world you see.” — Dr. Robert Holden

“No gesture is too small when done with gratitude.” — Oprah Winfrey

“Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other.” — Randy Pausch

Gratitude list for the week ending May 26

1. My husband and family gave me very inspired birthday gifts. A gorgeous necklace (which I am wearing in the photo), and the book SHOW ME A STORY: Why Picture Books Matter (also in the photo).
2. A yummy birthday dinner at Radda’s Trattoria
3. Eileen Spinelli sent me another of her books, WHEN YOU ARE HAPPY, signed to me and my kiddos, just because she thought I would like it, which OF COURSE I do. How sweet is that?
4. The loads of birthday wishes that came in from friends and family. It’s worth it to be on Facebook just for the birthday messages!
5. Both kids got excellent end-of-school-year report cards
6. Weather cool enough for outdoor runs
7. A productive week for both writing and submitting
8. Hearing frogs croaking by the creek in the evening
9. Getting my first manuscript critique customers – exciting!
10. Two bottles of red wine (rated 90+ by Wine Spectator) arrived in the mail from my brother

What are you grateful for this week?

It’s My Birthday

Candlewick Press, August, 1994

Suitable for: Ages 2+

Themes/Topics: Birthdays, Friendship, Baking, Sharing, Teamwork

Opening/Synopsis: From Kirkus: “A sweet young epicene sets out to bake a birthday cake. The little one is aided by a parade of animal friends–a chicken, a cat, a bear, a pig, a dog, a monkey–all of whom scurry about to pull together the various ingredients and then lend their expertise to the baking. The odd company gather on the last page to share and celebrate in typically cheerful Oxenbury (Tom and Pippo on the Beach, 1993) style.“

Activities:  The most obvious one is to bake a cake, of course! You could also use it as a cooking discussion in general and talk about ingredients and how they work together to make a dish. Having kids set up a birthday party with stuffed animals is a fun idea too.

Why I Like This Book: What’s not to love about a book where a child bakes a cake and then shares it with animal friends? And it’s illustrated by Helen Oxenbury!

For more fantastic picture books and resources please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books.

The 12 x 12 in 2012 Challenge has changed my world.

It has changed my world in ways that even those closest to me really don’t understand. This challenge has forced me to step outside my comfort zone, be proud of myself and acknowledge not only my achievements but my goals and desires for the future.

I am a very busy mum to four gorgeous boys.  I am a teacher, an artist, make-up artist and have always held multiple jobs at any given time. I run my own business “Happy Hero” providing support and education to parents, teachers and workers in the mental health sector. Through my speaking engagements at schools, workshops, meetings and conferences I am able to provide valuable information and strategies to help ‘little worriers’ manage anxiety. My little business is the publisher of my two children’s books and distributes to schools, bookshops and retail customers via my online shop.

Eight years ago, my eldest son was diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) aged just 5yrs – it was a very difficult time for us as a family. Back then, it was extremely uncommon for mental health issues to be associated with such a young child – thus the support, information and help for dealing with a ‘little worrier’ was almost non-existent.

Desperate to help my son understand and learn how to manage his anxiety I wrote and illustrated my two children’s books “Go Away, Mr Worrythoughts!” and “Happythoughts are Everywhere…” These books have changed my son’s life and since their release in 2008 and 2009 have also helped thousands of ‘little worriers’ in Australia and around the world.

Of course, it is no surprise that I too battle my own “Mr Worrythoughts!” Taking the 12 x 12 Challenge was my own way of addressing the negative thoughts I had about myself. It has forced me to believe that I AM an author, I AM an illustrator and I AM a successful business woman – previously all three of these statements would make me cringe and hide behind the couch in fear that someone would figure out that I am a fraud….but, I now live by my son’s mantra…“Go Away, Mr Worrythoughts…your thoughts are NOT welcome here!”

My family thinks I am crazy taking on MORE commitments in an already very hectic life. They can’t believe I am writing a picture book draft each month and when I talk about my 12 x 12 friends, they really have NO idea of my new found world! This connection with other amazing, talented people, has force me to become confident in interacting, sharing and believing in myself.  I am sure everyone else still sees a confident, reach for the stars kind of gal, succeeding in everything she puts her mind to…but now, I internally feel that I can take the leap of faith and handle the learning opportunities that come my way.

So far, I have written a PB draft every month (there are even a couple that I am really keen to pursue and illustrate!), I have become involved with a fantastic critique group where I have learned SO MUCH about the craft of writing. Instead of feeling crazy by the stories and ideas that ALWAYS come to me in the middle of the night, I welcome them, writing them all down in my 12 x 12 notepad. I am excited to explore them all further when time allows. (If I can read my own writing that is!!)

While the expansion of my business in developing new resources for kids, and my emotional investment in raising four happy, resilient and confident boys keeps me very busy, I know that I have a lot to offer in my journey as a writer and illustrator. I take comfort in the knowledge that this journey is a life-time goal and doesn’t all have to be achieved right now. Thank you Julie for the 12 x 12 Challenge and for helping me get to a place of peace and comfort (and crazy ideas!) in my life long author/illustrator journey.

“You don’t have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step.” ~ Martin Luther King, JR

Nicky is the author & illustrator of two children’s books “Go Away, Mr Worrythoughts!” and “Happythoughts are Everywhere…” She is a mum to four boys, a teacher, an artist and make-up artist and is passionate about raising awareness of mental health in children. You can find her on her website, her blog, on Facebook and YouTube.

However, on the evening of our last dinner, Boyds Mills Press Executive Editor Liz Van Doren talked with us informally about the submission process.

She likened receiving a submission as an invitation to go on a date.  Nobody goes on a first date hoping they’ll never want to see the person again.  There’s always the hope that the first date will be enjoyable enough to go on a second date.  In other words, she doesn’t look at submissions with a goal of rejection, but always with a hope of a spark – one that might lead to a match.

She’s looking for an answer to the question, “Do I want to take this manuscript out on a second date?”  If so, she would then contact the author and they would begin a discussion.

Liz said she then has to decide if she loves that manuscript enough to marry it, because that is akin to the kind of commitment she needs to make to bring that book into the world. From seeing the manuscript for the first time to the book hitting the shelves, publishing a book takes three to five years.  In that span of time, an editor will probably read the manuscript more than 100 times.  S/he will defend that manuscript in editorial and sales meetings, and do everything in his/her power to ensure it is successful.  If the love isn’t there, the book will suffer.

We as writers need to remember that just as two perfectly great people might meet and not end up marrying, so too can great manuscripts get rejected by an agent or editor who just doesn’t have “that lovin’ feeling.”

Here’s an even more important question to ask.  Do YOU want to marry your manuscript?  If not, it’s probably best to just “be friends” with it and move on to a manuscript that is marriage material.  Because as much as an editor ultimately has to love it, the writer has to love it even more.  The writer has to be so smitten and determined that s/he will go to the ends of the earth (and then some) to find that manuscript’s soul mate.

The writer’s relationship to the manuscript begins with the first draft.  Add to that the number of years it takes to find its home, THEN add the 3-5 years to publication, and THEN add at least a couple of years of marketing and promotion, countless numbers of readings in various venues and the fact that you will forever be connected to that book.

So, are you ready to say, “I DO?”

Photo entitled, "Jerry Spinelli held my boot while Eileen laughed."

This week’s post is mostly about the Highlights Foundation Poetry for All workshop I attended this week.

I’m sure all book lovers can appreciate the thrill of meeting writers whom you’ve long loved and admired.  This week was no exception.  It started by riding from the airport to the property with David Harrison.  I confessed to him how nervous I was, and and he gave me every reassurance that I was in the right (and in my rightful) place.  Next came Rebecca Kai Dotlich- her smile was the first thing I saw when I walked into the barn, and her voice raised in welcome was the first thing I heard.  When I managed to stammer

Rebecca's smiling face

out the fact that I am a huge fan, she humbly accepted the compliment and

then immediately began to inquire after my own writing.  Finally there was Eileen Spinelli, soft-spoken and humble (and who brought Jerry Spinelli along!).  I choked up when I told Eileen what her book WHEN MAMA COMES HOME TONIGHT meant to me as a full-time working mother after my daughter was born – before writing books for children was even a twinkle in my eye. She in turn said words about my own writing that made me cry again (later, and in a good way).

So this post is dedicated to these three people, who are as gracious and kind as they are talented. AND to the 20 fellow writers I was privileged enough to work with over the four days.  I am honored now to count you among my friends.

Quotes on Gratitude

“We must have the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless furnace of the world.” — Jack Gilbert

“Accept — then act. Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it… This will miraculously change your whole life.” — Eckhart Tolle

“Grace and gratitude go together like heaven and earth.” – Karl Barth

Gratitude list for the week ending May 19

1. Eileen Spinelli told me that a manuscript I had stopped working on two years ago, one which is close to my heart, should NOT be put in a drawer.  I am now happily revising it again with renewed hope for its future.
2. Rekindling my love of poetry and letting go of my fear of writing it
3. The profound and complete silence in the cabins at nighttime. Except for the steady rain.
4. The fact that Jerry Spinelli came with Eileen Spinelli – an amazing author two-fer!
5. The food gourmet chef Marcia made for us. What a treat!
6. Getting a tour of the Highlights office. I’ve loved the magazine since I was a girl, so that was a special thrill.
   

   Our fearless leaders, plus Rebecca Davis and Melanie Hall

7. The fellow poets who attended the retreat. It’s fair to say we were like family by the time we said our goodbyes on Thursday.
8. Coming home with seven FREE books of children’s poetry
9. Working with three of the best poets in children’s literature for four whole days!
10. My daughter, inspired by Eileen’s TEA PARTY TODAY: POEMS TO SIP AND SAVOR, set up a little mother-daughter tea party on Saturday morning before I was even awake.

Backdrop decoration for Mother-Daughter tea party

What are you grateful for this week?

This writing community of ours never ceases to amaze me with its generosity, so although I am a bit late to the game, I had to participate.

Leave a comment on this post between now and 11:59 EST on Wednesday, May 23rd and you will be entered to win a BRAND NEW copy of ANY ebook or paperback (as in physical) book on the craft of writing – winner’s choice.  That means whichever writing book you most wish to own, whichever one is calling you the most, can be yours.

Follower or not, this giveaway is open to anyone.  Consider this my way of thanking all the writers who have supported me along my way, the many of you who take the time to read my ramblings on this blog, those who took on the 12 x 12 challenge with me, and any newcomers who decided to stop by my blog this week and give it a chance.  I appreciate you all!

Our cabins near the woods in the morning mist

When was the last time you sat in pure silence for any length of time?

I didn’t realize how long it had been for me until I attended a Highlights Foundation Workshop this week in Honesdale, PA.  We had no cell phone service and the Internet was down for the first day.

I had my own little cabin set against the woods.  I would have expected to hear ambient noise coming from the Barn or chatter from people staying in the adjacent cabins.  But no. Nothing but the sound of steady rain on the roof.

A thick silence.  A silence that takes up residence and fills all the space within and around you. A silence with weight and texture.  This silence made me remember that there is a universe of difference between “quiet” and “silent.”

Just think of how much noise we assimilate – barely even hear anymore.  Dogs barking, phones ringing, cars driving by, neighbors mowing their lawns, washing machines churning, dishwashers swooshing.  The list goes on and on, and these don’t even include noise from the people that inhabit our lives.

In Honesdale, ALL of this noise was absent.  It was the first time in weeks I could “hear” myself think, but ironically I had no desire to. I had no desire to DO anything except feel the silence.  I wanted to live in it and merge with it.  Ultimately I did.  I slept so deeply that each morning when I woke up, it took me a few moments not just to remember where I was, but also who I was.  I wouldn’t want to live that way all the time, but it sure did make me realize how special and importance silence is to the spirit and the creative process.

Here is a poem I wrote the first night.  It came to me fully-formed.  I shared it on Facebook, but since then I’ve made a few revisions, and now I like it even more.

In Silence

My room
My rain
My desk
My door
My bed
My book
My fan
My floor.
I lay here
Alone
Alone
Alone
No call of a voice,
No ring of a phone
The weight of my flesh
Attached to my bone.
The beat of my heart
A circle to start –
My.
Self.

Bun Bun Button

Putnam Juvenile, October, 2011

Suitable for: Ages 3+

Themes/Topics: Special Toys/Objects, Loss, Grandparents, Multigenerational

Opening/Synopsis: From Publishers Weekly: After Gramma makes Paige a calico bunny that the girl christens Bun Bun Button, Paige ties it to a helium balloon and it flies away. Her grandmother consoles her with the idea that the wind might blow it back (“We Darlings are lucky, after all”). Although Bun Bun’s homecoming strains credulity, Polacco isn’t overly concerned with reality—this is, after all, a world in which Gramma’s pets stand up on hind legs and dance in unison to celebrate the stuffed animal’s return. Rather, Polacco offers a cozy ode to the inherent magic in a visit with a grandparent.

Activities:  Here is another spot-on and lovely review of Bun Bun Button. One great activity for this book would be to do sewing crafts with the kiddos to make a stuffed bunny.  Or, if like me, you absolutely do not sew, here is a super easy way to make a stuffed bunny from plastic grocery bags!

Why I Like This Book: Every once in a while you serendipitously come across a book that speaks to your heart in a special way. That’s Bun Bun Button for me.  My nickname for my son is Bun Bun (or sometimes just ‘Bun’).  He got the nickname because from the age of 5 months old he has been in love with a very special – you guessed it – toy bunny.  The first time we read this story about a little girl losing her precious bunny, I looked at my son and noticed he was holding his breath. It was “love at first read” for both of us.  An added bonus is the beautiful portrayal of the love between a child and a grandparent.

For more fantastic picture books and resources please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books.

My life today doesn’t look the way I imagined it years ago. Whose does? When David and I started our family, we agreed I would stay home to take care of our boys with the understanding that I would actively pursue my career when the kids went to school and were older, more independent people. Fifteen years later, we choose to homeschool and have children who will need our support for the rest of their lives. A good life, but not exactly what I had planned. Last fall I determined it was finally time to see if I could  find a balance between my kid’s needs and my own desire to write and illustrate. I had absolutely no idea where to start.

Enter the 12X12 Challenge. I heard about it from Loni Edwards, a fellow illustrator and writer, and thought it would be a good tool to get me motivated to create again. The challenge could offer a relaxed accountability, perhaps a bit of community throughout the year. It has turned out to be so much more than I ever expected!

The vast amount of information shared on participant blogs and the 12X12 facebook page has offered a quick education in all things involving the art and business of children’s book publishing. It’s a crash course in marketing, query letters, pitch writing, finding the right agent, social networking, the changing face of publishing, ebooks, editing and revising. Instead of floundering through the internet trying to figure out the best blogs and reference books with my limited time, my 12X12 peers offer excellent suggestions and recommendations on a daily basis.

I enjoy reading the blogs of our diverse group of participants. I may not comment often due to time restraints, but I am reading, laughing, commiserating and learning. This group offers a positive, friendly support network of published and unpublished writers. A community that shares a passion for children’s literature. People that are willing to help out with any question or project brought their way. I have found a wonderful critique group (#4!) through the 12X12 facebook page to thoughtfully help me hone my rusty writing skills. It mitigates the feeling of isolation that so often comes along with this profession.

Participating in this challenge with it’s gentle accountability has changed the way I approach my work, as well. Instead of treating it as some precious hothouse orchid needing a very narrow set of conditions to survive (a certain time of day, David being home, a quiet space that never materializes), I treat it like a dandelion that thrives anywhere it lands. The desk in the corner of our living room is my workspace and I write, draw and paint in between answering questions, fixing snacks, projects and listening to my boys talk about their interests. Art is now woven into my daily life. It needs to be or it will never have the opportunity to happen. My sons have picked up on my newly found joy and often draw and write alongside me. Of course, there are days when their needs fill all of my time and yes, it’s very discouraging when that happens for several days in a row, but this balancing act is my life for the indefinite future. I can choose to accept it and work with where I am or I can make myself unhappy fighting what cannot be changed. No one wants to live with a miserable person, so I choose acceptance.

The support and enthusiasm of the 12X12 participants makes that acceptance easier. Thank you all for sharing your passions and thank you, Julie, for starting something so wonderful.

Heather Newman has been drawing since she was big enough to hold a pencil and her prized possession as a young girl was a large box of blank essay books,  perfect for writing and illustrating stories or drawing her own images for favorite stories. Creating art continues to bring her great joy over 30 years later and her favorite projects involve work for children.  After spending a little over a year having many grand adventures traveling the country in an RV with her family, Heather found her dream home in the woods of Maine.  She lives with her husband, three sons, two friendly mutts and a slightly grumpy, geriatric cat.

She can be found at http://www.heathernewman.net/  and http://hnewmanart.blogspot.com/  Her recent work has included illustrating both Cody Greene and the Rainbow Mystery by Linda Fields and The Howling Vowels by Leslie Schultz, from Do Life Right Publishing in 2011.