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Click on the link below for my new book. This book is perfect for homes, classrooms, libraries, homeschooling, doctor and dentist offices, and waiting rooms of any kind. Read this and other books in the series, “I Love Animals Because…” and find out how you can appreciate the many creatures living on our earth.
Definition: Endearing quaintness. The quality of being playfully humorous, especially in an endearing way.
Children’s picture book writers want their stories to be endearing, playful and humorous. Adding whimsy is a good thing to incorporate into their writing. Each month I will focus on one picture book that exemplifies this attribute. Find this book in your library or online and read it to the little ones in your life.
This month I feature the picture book Pete the Cat: Five Little Pumpkins written and illustrated by James Dean. Published by HarperCollins (July 21, 2015)
Amazon.com has this to say about Pete the Cat.
Definition: Meaningful combinations of sounds that are a unit of language or its representation in a text.
As a writer, you love words. We use words to communicate and express ideas. We use words to make sentences. We use sentences to make paragraphs. And we use paragraphs to make stories. It’s important to use the best words possible.
This month’s word is – ta da! – PUMPKIN. This month’s exercise is to use the word “pumpkin” in a short story, poem, or whatever suits your fancy. I encourage you to do each month’s exercises and in six months you will have six pieces of writing with the potential of becoming published. In twelve months, you will have twelve pieces. I say go for it!
Definition: Accumulated knowledge of life or of a sphere of activity that has been gained through experience.
I have been writing for children for over 30 years. I have published eight books and taught several writing classes through the Loft Literary Center, community education and at conferences. Please check out my website at: https://www.caroliverson.net/
This month’s bit of wisdom is this: If you want to write picture books, you need to read them. Study them and make note of what works in the story for you and what doesn’t. Just be aware of publication dates. What was trendy five or ten years ago, may not be what editors are looking for today. The most important thing is that you don’t just like your story, you must love it for an editor to love it. Write from your heart and let your passion show.
Watch for my next blog where I will share more about whimsy, words and wisdom. Until then, choose your words wisely.
