Wow. OK. I wish I could say the reason I have not posted in a long, long time (more than a month!) is because I was working on my novel. And I guess I can say that, in part. But the real reasons for my hiatus? Moving and pregnancy. Both are exhausting. Both make you feel nauseated at times. And both can be all-consuming. So I haven't really been focused on blogging.
But! I'm back and I do have something to say about writing. My friend and editor from my days at Bridal Guide magazine has written a book! I'm so excited for her and proud of her accomplishments. Turns out Denise Schipani is the ultimate mean mommy. And I say that in the best possible way because she has an excellent blog on the topic of parenting (I especially enjoyed her rant today about the lack of mandatory paid maternity leave in the U.S.). Now, she's parlayed her blogging success into a book: Mean Moms Rule. I know it will be awesome because she's always been an amazing writer.
I've read (and written) before about those jealous feelings that creep up when another writer achieves success. But in this case, I truly feel nothing but happiness!
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Reviewing the Possibilities
Oh, wow! So almost a whole month has passed since I posted last. Bad, bad, bad. BUT I have a good reason. I've actually been working on those revisions mentioned previously. There's only so much time in a life filled with caring for a preschooler, packing to move, grieving taxes, grocery shopping, visits to the dentist, babysitting a guinea pig and other sundry activities.
Still, I did manage to find time to research how to promote a book. One way to go: Try and get reviewed in a publication read by librarians and booksellers. After all, they are in the business of recommending books. With any luck, yours could be one of them. (One caveat: You run the risk of getting a negative review. But let's think positive - and consider the perspective that any press is good press.)
Here are a few places where you could score a review. Keep in mind, some require that you send galleys before the book is actually out.
The Horn Book
The Book List (Actually, I just found out two of my books were reviewed! Take a look here and here.)
Kirkus Book Reviews
Publishers Weekly
School Library Journal
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
American Library Association
Still, I did manage to find time to research how to promote a book. One way to go: Try and get reviewed in a publication read by librarians and booksellers. After all, they are in the business of recommending books. With any luck, yours could be one of them. (One caveat: You run the risk of getting a negative review. But let's think positive - and consider the perspective that any press is good press.)
Here are a few places where you could score a review. Keep in mind, some require that you send galleys before the book is actually out.
The Horn Book
The Book List (Actually, I just found out two of my books were reviewed! Take a look here and here.)
Kirkus Book Reviews
Publishers Weekly
School Library Journal
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
American Library Association
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Rejection!
I just got a rejection email from an agent, and at first, I had this weird reaction. I didn't feel rejected. I felt more like I had gotten a bunch of suggestions for revisions that seemed hard and time-consuming and impossible to complete.
Now, reflecting on that feeling and rereading the email, I've realized something important. This is familiar territory. Even though it was technically a rejection, this agent gave me some suggestions, which means my reaction is up to me. I can view her rejection as a list of revisions instead. That means, I can do what I always do with revisions: Feel overwhelmed. Wait a few days to work on them. Then, start addressing each comment one at a time.
Even now, instead of feeling rejected or even overwhelmed, I'm getting excited. In a few days, these revisions won't seem so difficult to address. I'm pretty sure this is what it takes to succeed in this business: Just keep working!
Now, reflecting on that feeling and rereading the email, I've realized something important. This is familiar territory. Even though it was technically a rejection, this agent gave me some suggestions, which means my reaction is up to me. I can view her rejection as a list of revisions instead. That means, I can do what I always do with revisions: Feel overwhelmed. Wait a few days to work on them. Then, start addressing each comment one at a time.
Even now, instead of feeling rejected or even overwhelmed, I'm getting excited. In a few days, these revisions won't seem so difficult to address. I'm pretty sure this is what it takes to succeed in this business: Just keep working!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Interview with Jennifer Hamburg
Jennifer Hamburg, author of the picture book A Moose That Says Moo and creator of Dramatic Fanatic mystery theater parties for kids, also writes for children's television. I've always wondered how shows like Super Why! and Little Einsteins are created, so I just had to interview Jennifer. Learn more about her exciting career at www.jenniferhamburg.com.
How did you land your first job writing for children's television?
I always knew I wanted to work in children’s television. I went to grad school to study Educational Psychology, and after I graduated I was hired as a research analyst for a Blue's Clues spin-off called Blue's Room. They knew I was interested in writing (because I kept reminding them!), and after my contract was up they asked me to stay on as an assistant writer. I was so lucky to have that opportunity. It was a short contract but in that time I really got to see the ins and outs of how a TV script was written (plus, it led to many more wonderful opportunities with the same group of people). After that, I started contacting other production companies and sending around samples. I had previously had a book of children’s plays published, so I used that as my sample for a while. I worked for a couple of different shows right off the bat, and it kind of went from there!
What is the process like writing scripts?
Every show is different. For some we'd do a roundtable where we’d brainstorm ideas together and then each walk away with specific script assignments. Other times a show would send me a treatment (a summary of the episode) and a deadline, and that was it. Sometimes I would spend lots of time at the production offices and was very involved; for other shows, I never met the producers in person. The time frames also vary depending on the project. Generally, two weeks is typical for writing a script and maybe one week for a revision. Sometimes I’m asked how long I need, and other times I’m given the date and time to have it in!
What's the biggest challenge writing for children's television?
Each show has a specific tone, feel, style of humor, etc. My job as a writer is to take my writer “personality” and fit it into the particular show I’m writing for. It’s harder than it sounds! Writers are obviously creative, and it’s natural to want to write scripts that show off your creativity – but it’s not always right for that particular show. It takes a lot of self-editing. Also, lots of the preschool shows I write for also have a curriculum with specific lesson plans for each episode. I need to be able to integrate the learning moments into the story, which can be tricky.
What's your favorite part of the job?
Well, I love the whole process! I like diving into a new script and going over and over it until it sounds just right. And then most of the time I have to rewrite the whole thing again ☺ But I think of it as a creative exercise. Some writers don’t like getting notes and rewriting; they can get defensive. But I look at it like this: The creators of the show have a specific idea of how they want the show to be, and whether I agree with their ideas or not, it’s my job to make it work for them. It’s their show! When I have a show I’ll write it the way I want.
One last thing: Tell me about A Moose That Says Moo!
A Moose That Says Moo was originally called A Moose Doesn’t Moo. Totally the opposite! It was basically about all of the things animals don’t do, which I thought was kind of funny. My husband gave me the idea. We were in a camping store when my son was a baby, and there was this giant stuffed moose. My husband was playing around and said to our son, “This is a moose. But a moose doesn’t moo.” And I said, “Hey, that’s funny!” So I wrote the book that week (yes, that quickly!) and sent it out to about five literary agents. One of them called me soon after and offered to represent me.
What we found, however, was that the story needed something more, more of an arc. So I played with it a bit and turned it into a “What if…” kind of story, where a kid imagines a zoo in her backyard – it’s still nonsensical and silly but it’s more active. And we sold it! (well, she sold it) It comes out next year, 2012.
How did you land your first job writing for children's television?
I always knew I wanted to work in children’s television. I went to grad school to study Educational Psychology, and after I graduated I was hired as a research analyst for a Blue's Clues spin-off called Blue's Room. They knew I was interested in writing (because I kept reminding them!), and after my contract was up they asked me to stay on as an assistant writer. I was so lucky to have that opportunity. It was a short contract but in that time I really got to see the ins and outs of how a TV script was written (plus, it led to many more wonderful opportunities with the same group of people). After that, I started contacting other production companies and sending around samples. I had previously had a book of children’s plays published, so I used that as my sample for a while. I worked for a couple of different shows right off the bat, and it kind of went from there!
What is the process like writing scripts?
Every show is different. For some we'd do a roundtable where we’d brainstorm ideas together and then each walk away with specific script assignments. Other times a show would send me a treatment (a summary of the episode) and a deadline, and that was it. Sometimes I would spend lots of time at the production offices and was very involved; for other shows, I never met the producers in person. The time frames also vary depending on the project. Generally, two weeks is typical for writing a script and maybe one week for a revision. Sometimes I’m asked how long I need, and other times I’m given the date and time to have it in!
What's the biggest challenge writing for children's television?
Each show has a specific tone, feel, style of humor, etc. My job as a writer is to take my writer “personality” and fit it into the particular show I’m writing for. It’s harder than it sounds! Writers are obviously creative, and it’s natural to want to write scripts that show off your creativity – but it’s not always right for that particular show. It takes a lot of self-editing. Also, lots of the preschool shows I write for also have a curriculum with specific lesson plans for each episode. I need to be able to integrate the learning moments into the story, which can be tricky.
What's your favorite part of the job?
Well, I love the whole process! I like diving into a new script and going over and over it until it sounds just right. And then most of the time I have to rewrite the whole thing again ☺ But I think of it as a creative exercise. Some writers don’t like getting notes and rewriting; they can get defensive. But I look at it like this: The creators of the show have a specific idea of how they want the show to be, and whether I agree with their ideas or not, it’s my job to make it work for them. It’s their show! When I have a show I’ll write it the way I want.
One last thing: Tell me about A Moose That Says Moo!
A Moose That Says Moo was originally called A Moose Doesn’t Moo. Totally the opposite! It was basically about all of the things animals don’t do, which I thought was kind of funny. My husband gave me the idea. We were in a camping store when my son was a baby, and there was this giant stuffed moose. My husband was playing around and said to our son, “This is a moose. But a moose doesn’t moo.” And I said, “Hey, that’s funny!” So I wrote the book that week (yes, that quickly!) and sent it out to about five literary agents. One of them called me soon after and offered to represent me.
What we found, however, was that the story needed something more, more of an arc. So I played with it a bit and turned it into a “What if…” kind of story, where a kid imagines a zoo in her backyard – it’s still nonsensical and silly but it’s more active. And we sold it! (well, she sold it) It comes out next year, 2012.
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