Charlotte got into the high school musical today after several attempts and years of auditions. And she got a part. She sings, she acts. she dances. Our school system boasts a "Broadway calibre talent" and it is true. These kids are Broadway bound. As a matter of fact, many of them are already auditioning on Broadway. They know rejection. They could take "American Idol" out to lunch. They know the ropes and the strings and knots. So I am thrilled for her. I have been there.
Bill's band is thriving and they are sooo gooood.
Emily's dancing is coming to fruition with her next concert.
And Henry's animation and comic illustration, and drumming make me shiver.
And my next endeavor into illustration is playing with color, and blacks and whites. When I get bored...and I am sooooo bored right now I love to expiriment.
I can't think about submission right now. I only want to create.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
How do you know when your writing is good enough to submit for pbs?
Read some thread on the Blue about this today, and I find it fascinating.........
I also find it fascinating that, for me, submitting art samples is less stressful. Probably because I've had better luck with it. More takers than for my writing. My writing is much more of a precarious gesture when I send it out.
Almost always letters in return (except FSG, in which case always forms...can't get into their heads). So lately, I don't feel it is a comment on my writing but more of a comment on what I am writing...could be wrong but just an observation...I am not filling a need, but I write my own tales...how could I possibly illustrate anything without my (a) storyline? I know everyone says illustrate a folk or fairytale. I don't do those.
My critique group is not so good for pb critique because 99 percent of the writers in it are mg and ya.
Pb is a highly specialized mindset, and if you illustrate that makes you somewhat of a freak. I'm a freak.
Back to that unanswerable question...look at the market...really...How do you know when your pb is good enough? My question is how do you know when your pb is great? Enough said. Because good enough isn't enough...for me anyway...always striving for the moon...I look at the greats...and they are great for a reason....they transcend.........I want to be great........how do I do that...that is MY question.
I also find it fascinating that, for me, submitting art samples is less stressful. Probably because I've had better luck with it. More takers than for my writing. My writing is much more of a precarious gesture when I send it out.
Almost always letters in return (except FSG, in which case always forms...can't get into their heads). So lately, I don't feel it is a comment on my writing but more of a comment on what I am writing...could be wrong but just an observation...I am not filling a need, but I write my own tales...how could I possibly illustrate anything without my (a) storyline? I know everyone says illustrate a folk or fairytale. I don't do those.
My critique group is not so good for pb critique because 99 percent of the writers in it are mg and ya.
Pb is a highly specialized mindset, and if you illustrate that makes you somewhat of a freak. I'm a freak.
Back to that unanswerable question...look at the market...really...How do you know when your pb is good enough? My question is how do you know when your pb is great? Enough said. Because good enough isn't enough...for me anyway...always striving for the moon...I look at the greats...and they are great for a reason....they transcend.........I want to be great........how do I do that...that is MY question.
Call me a dreamer...what is right with that?
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Huh?
"Parents don't have time to read to their children?" Fewer words is the "terrrende...this year." This comes from trickle down SCBWI conferensics. Sometimes I think these conferences are more harm than good.
What? Oh, silly me. Reading to my children is (was) the one thing I love(d) having time for. I'd have to make that goddamned time. Oh, life is tough all over. Reading to your children..what a bore. I could be watching Oprah. I could be painting my nails. But no, I have to sit down for a half an hour and enjoy a story with my kid. Oh, you know what? This might be a good time to multi-task. It gives a chance for the nail polish to dry.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
What? Oh, silly me. Reading to my children is (was) the one thing I love(d) having time for. I'd have to make that goddamned time. Oh, life is tough all over. Reading to your children..what a bore. I could be watching Oprah. I could be painting my nails. But no, I have to sit down for a half an hour and enjoy a story with my kid. Oh, you know what? This might be a good time to multi-task. It gives a chance for the nail polish to dry.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Nonfiction and the hard sell
Reading a thread on the Blue, and it caught my eye...
It bemoans the writer of this thread (and me, too) that the state of non-fiction for children in the state of California's libraries and bookstores is so limited (funds, and buyers interests). This writer talks about what a hard sell her non-fiction was; and she's multi-published.
The thing that makes me so frustrated is that my biography's strength, or one of its strengths is in the execution of the illustrations. It is in the dummy but more so in the actual finished art. Because pencil sketches to actual finished collage/mixed media are like skeleton to flesh.
If you think about it just about every historical, artistic, scientist figure is obscure to a child. May be it is the parent/adult who wouldn't know my subject well enough to reach for it. Maybe there is not going to be enough demand.
Hell, my kids have brought home books about astronauts, poets and scientists I have never heard of. Could it be curriculum tie-in? Mine is not. I don't think so anyway.
Strengths:
1) Obscure colorful American composer/virtuoso/idol
2) Conflicts -- overcoming adversity/prejudice, and hardships on the road (trains and the lack of).
3) Amazing/wild things he did besides what he was known for (very visual). He was a daredevil and show off.
4) Nice art (very visual...ha..ha..ha)
5) Onomatopoeic (sp?) language to match his music and musical rhythms. Bouncy language.
6) Involvement in Civil War...he played on the battle grounds and for Lincoln. Product of New Orleans
7) Precursor to ragtime
8) Multi-cultural themes and characters
9) Entertaining more than educational.
10) Theme: travelling the world for multicultural voices to incorporate into his own music. And this is something that is shown in the symbolistic art.
Weaknesses:
1) Hey Jude!! Too Obscure (Barbara shakes head in disbelief)
2) trying to do too much.........hmm...maybe?? Dunno. I cut this from 1,700 words to 750 words without so much as a blink. Streamlined, if you will.
3) Does the end need more of a twist even though it is visual whopper?
Which brings me back to hard sell.
Maybe it is not my book at all. Maybe it is the market.
It bemoans the writer of this thread (and me, too) that the state of non-fiction for children in the state of California's libraries and bookstores is so limited (funds, and buyers interests). This writer talks about what a hard sell her non-fiction was; and she's multi-published.
The thing that makes me so frustrated is that my biography's strength, or one of its strengths is in the execution of the illustrations. It is in the dummy but more so in the actual finished art. Because pencil sketches to actual finished collage/mixed media are like skeleton to flesh.
This is why I find it so difficult and frustrating to sell everything as a unit (especially over the transom).
I've gotten letters on this project. Compliments. But obviously something is not working. And I don't know what that is because no one will say so. Just that my subject is obscure.If you think about it just about every historical, artistic, scientist figure is obscure to a child. May be it is the parent/adult who wouldn't know my subject well enough to reach for it. Maybe there is not going to be enough demand.
Hell, my kids have brought home books about astronauts, poets and scientists I have never heard of. Could it be curriculum tie-in? Mine is not. I don't think so anyway.
Strengths:
1) Obscure colorful American composer/virtuoso/idol
2) Conflicts -- overcoming adversity/prejudice, and hardships on the road (trains and the lack of).
3) Amazing/wild things he did besides what he was known for (very visual). He was a daredevil and show off.
4) Nice art (very visual...ha..ha..ha)
5) Onomatopoeic (sp?) language to match his music and musical rhythms. Bouncy language.
6) Involvement in Civil War...he played on the battle grounds and for Lincoln. Product of New Orleans
7) Precursor to ragtime
8) Multi-cultural themes and characters
9) Entertaining more than educational.
10) Theme: travelling the world for multicultural voices to incorporate into his own music. And this is something that is shown in the symbolistic art.
Weaknesses:
1) Hey Jude!! Too Obscure (Barbara shakes head in disbelief)
2) trying to do too much.........hmm...maybe?? Dunno. I cut this from 1,700 words to 750 words without so much as a blink. Streamlined, if you will.
3) Does the end need more of a twist even though it is visual whopper?
Which brings me back to hard sell.
Maybe it is not my book at all. Maybe it is the market.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Half way
I am half way thru my dummy. Yay!! But I know I am not really. When it is finally finished I am going to go thru with this critical eye I have developed over the years. What a difference five years makes! Fingers crossed.
Mood: Very happy, satisfied and ready for tomorrow's work..........I love what I do and I feel lucky that have this. Very lucky. No complaints. Just anticipation.
And to pick up my mood yet further.........Bill tells me that his jazz band is going to be announced on WBGO...yo...yo...yo...you go!! And more gigs to follow. You guys rock!! (and hopefully you will pay off the new keyboard after a few gigs...heh...heh...heh...and then we can talk about my scanner...hee hee hee)
Mood: Very happy, satisfied and ready for tomorrow's work..........I love what I do and I feel lucky that have this. Very lucky. No complaints. Just anticipation.
And to pick up my mood yet further.........Bill tells me that his jazz band is going to be announced on WBGO...yo...yo...yo...you go!! And more gigs to follow. You guys rock!! (and hopefully you will pay off the new keyboard after a few gigs...heh...heh...heh...and then we can talk about my scanner...hee hee hee)
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