COSCBWI Meeting July 2015

This month's COSCBWI meeting featured guest speaker Cindy Thomson.  Cindy writes historical fiction with her most recent novels including Grace's Pictures and Annie's Stories.  Set during the turn of the century, the books immerse readers in the lives of two immigrant women.  It's imperative to conduct extensive research when writing historical novels, so Cindy shared her tips on how to become a research pro with our group.

Even though historical fiction is "fiction" (i.e. a made up story), thorough research is still needed to make the story seem authentic and true to the time period.  Readers won't believe that your 17th century pirate character would eat chicken nuggets, or that your cave man hero would fight a mammoth with a sword.  Such inaccuracies pull the reader out of the story--or worse--make them put the book down!  Researching an entire time period or culture can be a bit overwhelming, though.  What sources can you trust?  What sources should you stay away from?  Cindy explained her favorite research methods that she uses to write her own novels.

Primary Sources
Princeton.edu describes primary sources as "documents or physical objects which were written or created during the time under study."  Cindy loves to use primary sources during her research, and there are lots to choose from.  Libraries are a great source for finding maps, books of letters and memoirs, and novels that were written during the time period.  By immersing yourself in documents from the era, Cindy said you can gain lots of insight on the setting of your historical novel and the culture of the people who would have lived during that time.

Secondary Sources
Princeton.edu describes secondary sources as "sources that interpret and analyze primary sources, and are one or more steps removed from the event."  Cindy explained that they are not always reliable, but can still be quite helpful.  She recommends seeking out academic books, informative blogs, .org websites, and reading other novels on the market that are set in the same time period.  (Cindy has even met some very nice authors who were happy to share their research sources with her.)  She also recommends going to museums and consulting experts when possible.

On the flip side, Cindy warned that the some information from secondary sources should be taken with a grain of salt.  Wikipedia, for example, can be great for finding quick facts, but sometimes provides inaccurate information.  Novels that haven't been researched thoroughly often contain historical inaccuracies.  Even interviewing someone who lived during a certain time or event can have its disadvantages.  They may know a lot about their own experience, but they can't accurately portray everyone's experience.

As long as you keep a good perspective and vett your research, secondary sources can be very handy when writing historical fiction.

Fun Stuff
"Fun stuff" is everything else you do to enhance your research--like taking a research trip, attending local cultural festivals, experiencing reenactments, etc.  You don't have to go to Florence to write a book set in Renaissance Italy, but it sure is a fun way to talk your spouse into taking that once-in-a-lifetime trip!

Cindy's last research tip was my personal favorite: when in doubt, talk to your local librarian.  They may not have the answer, but they will certainly know where to find it!

You can find out more about Cindy and her books on her website at http://cindyswriting.com/.

If you want to learn more about Central and Southern Ohio SCBWI, be sure to visit the website at http://ohiocensouth.scbwi.org.  I hope to see you at the August meeting!

Note: Book cover image is from amazon.com.

COSCBWI Meeting June 2015

 

This month's COSCBWI meeting featured a great discussion on query letters.  Query letters are essentially "pitch letters" that you send to agents and editors to tell them about your book.  Today's market is bursting with aspiring writers, and it can be difficult to capture the attention of industry professionals.  (Some agents even receive hundreds of queries a day!)  With so much competition, it's important to do everything you can to craft a winning letter and help your story stand out in a sea of queries.

 

COSCBWI's Regional Advisor, Linda Miller, first went over the staples of writing a query.  When you write a query, you want to conform to industry standards and present yourself in a very professional light.  (So don't print your letter on neon green paper, or dump sparkles inside the envelope!)  A basic query should consist of an introduction, an enticing plot summary (one or two short paragraphs), a short bio, the word count and genre/intended age group, and any other pertinent information.  It should be no more than one page in length and should be free of typos and errors.  Agents and editors often request materials to accompany a query letter (i.e. the first five pages, entire picture book manuscript, etc.), so be sure to research what each professional wants and specify what you're enclosing with your letter.  Make sure you get their name and gender right, too; addressing a letter to Ms. Shannon McAgent when Shannon is a male is a HUGE error.  (And will probably make Shannon McAgent quite grumpy!)

 

Linda also went over several questions you should ask yourself as you write your query, including:

 

-Why would your target group want to read your book?

-Why would your target group benefit from your book?

-Why is your book right for this specific publisher or agent?

-Would you want to read your book based on your query?

 

If you can't answer these questions, you may want to revise your query letter some more before sending it out.  It's also a good idea to have colleagues read it over to help you iron out any wrinkles.  The group practiced critiquing each other's work and offering constructive feedback.  It was wonderful to hear the letters from our brave volunteers, and the feedback offered was very encouraging and helpful!

 

If you want to learn more about COSCBWI, be sure to visit the website at http://ohiocensouth.scbwi.org.  (You can read all about the awesome upcoming workshop with author Jody Casella, too!)  I hope to see you at the July events!

 

Back from the Beach!

Guess who's back from the beach!

"Huh?  Kathryn went somewhere?" you ask.  Well, I intended to write a blog post before I left, but I got a bit sidetracked with buying sunscreen and packing and all that good stuff. 

I feel extremely lucky that I got to go on two beach trips this year.  This time, I went to Hilton Head with my family.  It was a wonderful week, and I didn't even come back burnt to a crisp!  Highlights included lots of beach and pool time, sleeping in, eating about 4 cans of Pringles, and puzzling galore.

I also took the world's best sisters picture with my seventeen-year-old sistwerp.

I was rather annoyed with someone off-camera.

 And saw an alligator in the lagoon behind our condo.

Do alligators make good pets?  He was so cute!

And got to spend lots of time with the world's cutest twenty-pound crab.

We did not let the alligator eat our crab.

I was also FINALLY smart enough to bring some clay-working tools with me so I could scribble in the sand properly.  (No doodling with driftwood this year!)  I made a few sand sketches, including this one:

Which I happily colored in Photoshop when I got home.  :)

While I already miss the awesome sand and heat (why, oh why, can't Ohio have more beaches?), I am happy to be home with my hubby and snuggle-puppy again. 

I hope everyone is having a fun summer, and I promise an actual update-post is coming soon!

COSCBWI Meeting May 2015

This month's Central and Southern Ohio SCBWI meeting featured a special visit from YA author Susan Bradley.  Susan was the former Regional Advisor for our chapter, and it's always such a treat when she comes to speak at a meeting!  She stepped down from the position in order to pursue her Master of Fine Arts in Writing.  Now that she's graduated from her program, we jumped at the chance to have her come in and discuss her MFA experience.

Making the decision to go back to school is no easy task.  It's a decision that affects your time, family, and wallet.  For Susan, a Part-Time Program worked best for her busy lifestyle, but there are Full-Time and Online-Only school options as well.  With a Part-Time Program, students can still work as much as they need to while getting their degree.  The low-residency component--usually five, seven, or ten days twice a year--allows students to get important face-to-face interactions with instructors and peers, but doesn't keep them away from their families and day-jobs for too long. 

Susan explained that a Master of Fine Arts is a terminal degree, so there is no higher degree than the one you obtain at the end of your program.  There are many jobs one can pursue with a Master of Fine Arts in Writing including teaching at the college level, editing, business/technical writing, creative writing, and agenting.  A new career isn't the only reason to go back to school, though.  MFA programs allow students to make contacts in the publishing world, create a writer's network, obtain mentoring, and improve their craft. 

Susan discussed that it's very important to know what you're getting into before jumping into a Master of Fine Arts program.  In addition to lots and lots (and lots) of reading, Susan was also required to critique her classmates' work, complete many writing assignments, teach a class, participate in online forums and panels, attend residencies, and write and defend her thesis.  MFA programs require a big time and energy commitment.  If you're thinking of going back to school, she recommended you involve your family in the decision making process--especially if you plan on keeping your day-job--and make sure they are 100% supportive.

With all the options that are available, how do you choose the program that's best for you?  Susan brought up a lot of great questions that every potential student should consider including:

-What is the format?  (Full-Time, Part-Time, or Online?)
-Is the program accredited?
-What type of writing does the program focus on, and does it match your own career goals?
-What are the credentials of the instructors?
-What is the reputation of the program?
-What is the cost?  Does it fit your budget, or is financial aid available?
-Are students going on to get published once they graduate?  (There should be an online publication list.)

She also gave us a list of institutions with renowned MFA programs including:

-Iowa Writer's Workshop at the University of Iowa
-Vermont College of Fine Arts
-Antioch University-Los Angeles
-Ohio State University
-Seton Hill University
-Hamline University
-Full Sail Online

Susan chose Seton Hill to pursue her Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction.  The Part-Time format fit her whirlwind, single-mom lifestyle, she was impressed by the school's reputation and faculty, and the program focused on her desired genre of writing.  She said she couldn't be happier with her experience, from the classes she took to the close friends she made.  (And with two published books now under her belt--Unraveled and Uncovered--her story is clearly one of success!)  Susan ended the meeting by encouraging us all to consider pursuing continuing education, and to never EVER give up on our publishing dreams!

If you want to learn more about Susan and her books, be sure to check out her website at www.sxbradley.com.  A big thank you to Susan for coming in and telling us all about her MFA experience!

You can find out more about Central and Southern Ohio SCBWI and upcoming events by visiting http://ohiocensouth.scbwi.org.  I hope to see you at the June meeting!  
  
Note: Photo is from Susan Bradley's website, www.sxbradley.com.

School Visit!

This past week, I got to make a special visit to my sister's third grade classroom.  She's a teacher in a nearby school district and always encourages her kids to be reading maniacs. 

Although I'm not published yet, I love taking this yearly opportunity to speak to a room full of kids.  I've always been the sort of person who runs away from the spotlight, so public speaking has never been my forte.  Fortunately, I'm starting to get used to twenty pairs of eyes staring straight at me as I ramble on aimlessly and try not to look like a dweeb while my sister snaps photos of me pointing at books.  (Oh darn, those pictures are all on her camera.  Guess I can't post them here!)

Third graders really are such a fun age group!  I brought a variety of books from the Ohioana Library to talk about Ohio authors and illustrators (all of whom they were familiar with--awesome work, teachers!) and we read First Dog.  The kids loved that it was written and illustrated by all Ohioans--J. Patrick Lewis, Beth Zappitello, and Tim Bowers--and that it featured a cute, fluffy dog.  (Maybe more kids would like math if it involved cuddly canines?)

After the story, I shared some of my own work and talked a little bit about how I'm trying to become published.  I showed them some art, talked about the revision process, and tried not to make more doofy faces as my sister continued snapping photos.  I also made a noble effort not to burst out laughing at the hilarious things the kids said.  (Me: Does anyone have any unusual pets at home?  Kid: We have lots of gnats in our house!)  

Then we did a bookmark craft together from the Ohioana Book Festival, and I explained how the drawings were done by aspiring SCBWI illustrators just like me.  They had an absolute blast coloring the bookmarks and drawing some of their own!  To help keep the kids quiet as they waited in line for me to tie ribbons on top, I had them each think of their favorite book.  The winning series by far were Diary of a Wimpy Kid for the boys and Puppy Place for the girls.  (Score another win for the cute, fluffy dogs!)  The kids were so creative and enthusiastic, and many even asked if they could make extra bookmarks to give to family members.  (D'awwwww!) 

 
The highlight of the day was when two little girls told me they want to be writers and illustrators when they grow up.  I very much hope their parents and teachers encourage them to follow that dream.  :)

The day ended with smiling faces, "Do you have to go already?" whining, and a few sticky-fingered hugs.  I can't wait to visit again next year!     

COSCBWI Meeting April 2015

This month's Central and Southern Ohio SCBWI meeting featured a special visit from J. Patrick Lewis.  The 2011-2013 Children's Poet Laureate, J. Patrick Lewis is a prolific, award-winning children's writer with over eighty books under his belt.  Our chapter was thrilled that he was able to take time out of his busy schedule to spend an evening with us.

J. Patrick began the meeting by talking a bit about his history in publishing.  Prior to becoming a children's writer, he was an economics professor at Otterbein University.  His work was rejected for seven years, and he was strongly encouraged to give up.  The naysayers just made him want to try all the harder, though, so he kept at it, ultimately publishing his first book, The Tsar and the Amazing Cow, in 1988.  He loves speaking at schools and told us several stories of hilarious things kids have said to him over the years.  He even brings back a t-shirt from each school he visits and currently has 530 in his collection.

After his introduction, J. Patrick opened the floor for questions, and boy did our members pick his brain!  He offered great advice for writers hoping to publish children's poetry.  For reading suggestions, he recommended Robin Skelton's The Shapes of Our Singing and Louis Turco's The Book of Forms, as well as picking up a copy of Writer's Market or Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market for submission research.  He also emphasized that if you want to be a writer, you have to be a re-writer, so don't be afraid to rework and revise your precious words. 
 
Fielding questions about his own writing process, J. Patrick explained that his poems usually go through ten or twenty revisions.  While he doesn't have a critique group, he often seeks feedback from his twin brother.  If his brother says the poem is good, he feels comfortable sending it off.  But if his brother says it stinks (in that brutally-honest sibling way), he works on it some more.  When J. Patrick has a book idea, he starts with a theme and lets the words lead him from there.  He likes to write more poems than will ultimately be in the final book so the publishing house has a variety to choose from.  He explained that not all of his work gets published, and he still deals with rejection.  But perseverance and dedication are the keys to his success, so he reminded us all to never give up and write, write, WRITE! 

J. Patrick wrapped up the meeting by reading his poetry, which was a lovely, mesmerizing treat.

If you want to learn more about J. Patrick Lewis and his books, be sure to visit his website at www.jpatricklewis.com.

You can find out more about Central and Southern Ohio SCBWI and upcoming events by visiting http://ohiocensouth.scbwi.org.  I hope to see you at the May meeting!  

 Note: Photo taken by Linda Miller, used with permission.

And Busy Season is DONE!

I hate to admit it, but I have been ignoring this blog recently.  (Please don't hate me!)

I promise it was unintentional.  While I no longer work at an accounting firm, spring and autumn are still the two busiest seasons for me.  At my current job with the Ohioana Library, spring keeps me very (very) busy planning the annual "Ohioana Book Festival."  It's an awesome one-day event celebrating Ohio literature, and this year's festival was the biggest yet with over 100 authors, a new venue, and a ginormous kids' space. 

2015 festival poster art, painted by the talented Jeffrey Ebbeler.

Throw in an SCBWI illustration workshop right in the middle of this season, and let's just say the past few months have been a whirlwind.  (But blissfully free of non-stop tax return processing.  Huzzah!)

The festival just wrapped up this past weekend, and I'm happy to say it was a big success!  Now that my plate is less full, I'm excited to jump back into blogging again.  Things may be a little jumbled around here for a week or two while I do some catch-up posting from the last few months.  This site is also overdue for a bit of spiffing up, like fixing broken links and updating my portfolio page.  I promise things will be back in shipshape soon!

Thanks for bearing with me while I gave you all the silent treatment.  I hope everyone is having a lovely spring and enjoying those beautiful buds and blooms!