Trying something new today! Below is my entry for the third annual Fall Writing Frenzy, put on by the spectacular Kaitlyn Sanchez and Lydia Lukidis! Check out the contest link for all the details, but basically the challenge is to write a 200 word story based on one of the photos provided. I was immediately drawn to the photo of the moon. Maybe because it matches the tattoo on my wrist, maybe because it was my nickname growing up, or maybe because I've been reading about wolves a lot lately with my toddler. Regardless - it was fun to write! Extra special thanks to the prize donors and special judge Ameerah Holliday! I hope you enjoy! Chorus of the Full Moon(195 words) Slinking through the sycamores, Rowan hid from view. He threw his head back and… “Yiiiiip!”
He hoped for a howl that would knock the last leaves off the autumn branches, but the squeaky-squawk that squealed out didn’t even shake the saplings. He looked over his shoulder, desperately hoping no one else had heard. Night after night Rowan snuck farther away from the pack to practice. He tilted his head, he positioned his paws, he arched his back and… yowled, yelped, whined, and whimpered. He just couldn’t howl. The night of the full moon arrived, and Rowan’s mind raced. “I’m not ready. I can’t do this.” He paced, stomach squirming and tail trembling. “Maybe I should run away...” but his idea was interrupted. A powerful howl resounded. Another echoed through the forest, answering the call. Then another. And another. A shiver shook Rowan's body from tip to tail. He sat down, mesmerized by the melody. His body relaxed. His mind grew quiet. Captivated by the calls of his pack, he realized what had been missing. Supported by the sounds of his family, he howled. Pure and piercing, Rowan’s voice joined the chorus of the full moon.
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Fellow picture book writers - if you ever get the chance to sign up for a course with The Children's Book Academy - DO IT! I signed up mostly on a whim, desperate to learn something new and use my brain in a different way. I cannot say enough positive things about the course! I've learned wonderful things about craft and the industry and have connected with some really spectacular writers! I cannot believe how much I didn't know, I didn't know! In the four weeks of the course so far I have revised and edited (and by that I mean burned down and recreated like a phoenix) a draft I had and also have created a second that is looking pretty darn good at this point, thanks to my wonderful critique partners!
Find a class. Make the time. Sign up. Learn the things. Create the stories! https://www.childrensbookacademy.com/ Do people read kids books on Kindle? I am new to the world of Kindle. I must admit, I used to be a bit of a traditional book snob. I do like the feel of the pages turning. I like the smell. I like the cover art. I like placing it on my bookshelf after I finish it. But then I had a baby, and
I love books. I have always loved books. As an adult, I make my holiday tree out of books. (It's still small, but it grows each year.) I was the kid that filled the reading chart, filled the Book It pins, filled my library bag... you get the picture. I was, and still am, a book nerd. Being a teacher was a wonderful way to share my passion for stories. Not only did I get to read and talk about spectacular kid and young adult lit, but I got to tell stories. I got to tell stories in science class, in social studies, in language arts, even in math. I even got to write a few down as examples for the kids' writing classes. I never dreamed anyone but my students would ever read them. But recently I started wondering if maybe, someday, maybe someone else might be interested in the stories I have to tell? I was lucky enough to meet two wonderful women in the publishing world who kindly agreed to read one of my story starts and tell me if I was kidding myself that someone, someday, might actually be interested in publishing it. I mean, I think my stuff is cute, but who am I to be an impartial judge of my stories? With their thumbs up, I decided that it was time to pursue a lifelong bucket list challenge. I will get a children's book published. Someday, someone is going to buy one of my books off of a bookstore shelf.
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AuthorMs. V - teacher. Well, former teacher at the moment. Wife. Kid Mom. Reader. Writer. Daughter. Dessert enthusiast. Traveler. Bar-league volleyball player. Early bird. Amateur baker. Archives
October 2021
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