Always writing from the heart

Being an Indie author or illustrator of children’s books isn't an easy road.  Sure, there’s the excitement of creating words and pictures that impact kids.  But there are long hours of writing or drawing, editing, fighting technology gremlins, and finessing social media. 

Photo: J. Lobasz

If it’s so hard, why do we persist?   Good question!  I’ll address it in a moment through this Blogging from the Heart Tour.  But first, please get comfy and settle back with a cup of your fave brew.

Here’s how this Blogging from the Heart post will roll.

1. Meet Blogging from the Heart sponsor, children’s book author Kimberly Sentek.
2. Meet writers and artists on the next tour stop, who will post their Blogging from the Heart Tour on 5 September. 
   
3. Then join me in a photo-narrative response to four questions about why I always write from the heart.
   

All set?

I.  Blog Sponsor Kimberly Sentek
      kimberlysentek.com/blog/

Twitter is the bees knees for connecting people who share the same interests.  That’s how I met writerly colleague Kimberly Sentek. I was drawn to Kim’s sweet tales for children that  bring a smile and teach valuable lessons at the same time. 
Kim spent her entire life telling stories—her parents swear she was born talking.  A lifelong New Jersey resident, she is owned by two cockapoos, Nico and Tugger. Her first book, Oh Brother!: A Nico and Tugger Tale, is a story of sibling rivalry inspired by her dogs.  Kim continues this series based on her two furry children, and her second book is currently in production. 

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II.  Next Up on Writing from the Heart Blog Tour

Meet three friends and writers who share their passion for creating books, illustration, and community: 

*  a top-selling kidlit mystery writer from the US Left Coast
*  a UK-based artist, illustrator and soon-to-be author who dazzles with colors and paint
* another artist from across the pond who pens tales and promotes children's books and writers through the Kid Literature Authors' network.

Kimberly, K. Corrina, and Karen are my kind of perfect storm of talent.   They knock my socks off! 

K. Lamb
http://www.authorklamb.blogspot.com/ 
… is the author of the Dani P. Mystery series for children 7-11 years old.  Dani and the Haunted House, her first published work, was an Amazon Best-selling e-book in the Children’s Detectives category.  Wow!  She recently released her second book in the collection, Dani and the Mall Caper, and has more books in this series under production.  In addition to penning children's stories, she writes young adult novels and posts from her blog, The Musings of K. Lamb.

Karen Emma Hall
http://www.peachyemma.blogspot.co.uk
...  is an illustrator, author, and promoter of children’s literature.  Her first book was Hello Teeny Pheeny, and she has others scheduled for publication soon.  Karen  started  Kid Literature Authors (KLA), a community of children’s writers and others who are passionate about children’s books and literacy.  Karen and the Kid Literature Team promote kidlit authors for free on Twitter (#KLA, #KidLit @KidLiterature), the KLA website and on their  Facebook page.

Corrina Holyoke
http://www.corrinascreations.co.uk
… is a freelance illustrator, artist, and soon-to-be children's author.  Her art and illustration for children's books blow me away. Such a whimsical, eye-grabbing style. Her first novel as writer and illustrator, Animania: An Alphabet Book with a Twist, is in production and soon to be released.  Can't wait!

Always Writing From the Heart

1.  What am I working on?

These three projects require my TLC at the moment.

1.  Sweet T and the North Wind, a chapter book for Grades K-4 
Tara, or Sweet T as Grandma calls her, discovers an hour of north wind magic one winter afternoon that takes her on the ride of her life.

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•  I'm so excited! T will be swooshing into an e-book in winter 2014. 
  
• Learning patience: It's taken six months of repeated attempts and the talents of two graphic designers, plus a software coding specialist, to get T digital.  So, I will be over the moon when the e-publishing industry produces a user-friendly platform for converting print books with illustrations into a digital format that makes readers happy and has writers swooning with relief.

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2.  Finding Fuzzy, a chapter book for Grades K-3
T's sister, Jenna, faces the toughest decision of her young life when she loses her beloved blue stuffy rabbit, Fuzzy, on the family beach trip.

There you are, Fuzzy. Hiding with your Purple Dragonfly Award?

• Published this summer as the ultimate in kids' beach book, Fuzzy placed second in a national writing contest, earning a Purple Dragonfly Book Award for best children's chapter book.  Lovely to get positive feedback.

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3.  Driving Down to Dillon: a Very Short Story of Love & New Beginnings 
A freebie for grownups that has very special meaning to me.

A very-short tale for grownups --- Free for Cat's Connections subscribers

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• I write for the young at heart, too. 
  
  
• I share my very-short story,  Driving Down to Dillon: a Very Short Story of Love and New Beginnings, as my way of thanking readers who subscribe to Cat’s Connections and receive e-mail updates about me and my books.

• You can subscribe and get your free download of this tale by clicking here

 Always Writing from the Heart
2.  How is my work different?

You can hear a pin drop when I visit classrooms as kids share their "Finding Fuzzy" endings with me.

• I spent more than two decades in the classroom and on campus to help students learn and boost their confidence on their journey to self-discovery. 
  
  
• Finding Fuzzy is a You-Decide tale:
  Strong believer in 'guide-don't-tell' coaching approach.  That's why kids morph into young authors and illustrators who step into the book to write or draw the story's ending.  I show them how in my book and offer tips to their reading assistants. 
  
  
• Kids absolutely glow as they share their tale with me, and am I ever amazed at their creative solutions....many I never imagined!
  

Always Writing from the Heart
3.   Why do I write what I do?

Photos: Cat Michaels; Illustration: Irene A. Jahns

• Writing has always been a part of me.  I started with short stories in fourth grade. Tales about topics that interested me.  Cowgirls.  School.  Mysteries.  I didn't know then that I stumbled onto a cardinal rule of writing: write what you know.  I also write what I love.
  
  
• If there's a second life, I'm coming back as an aquatic creature, because there is salt water in my veins.  I grew up along the North Atlantic coast, spending every moment I could at our town beach, and I now enjoy warm, sandy beaches near my North Carolina home. 
  
  
• Plus, I cherish reunions at the Carolina coast, where our extended families gathered for a week each summer.  A gazillion little kids running around.  Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents exchanging wisdom.  We're on our third-generation of those beach 'daze' - happy chaos wrapped in salt-water and love.
  
  
• That's why it was a joy for me to write a beach-themed book packed with family and fun, Finding Fuzzy.  In fact, Fuzzy's cozy yellow cottage is modeled after a beach house we rented.  There’s even a real Jenna, too...my little niece, who took her plush pal along on vacation. I imagined what would happen if Jenna lost her stuffy.  And there's my Fuzzy tale.
  

Irene A. Jahns recreates the cozy yellow cottage for "Finding Fuzzy."

Always Writing from the Heart
4.  How does my writing process work?

• I’m focused and motivated, but I don’t have a structured way to construct a story.  No outlining, either. I might have a beginning and end in mind, but I don't know what's in the middle.  I fire up my laptop and let the characters speak to me. Do a brain dump to get narrative down.  Jiggle things around and add what's needed for a smooth flow that appeals to kids. Lots of edits and re-writes, too.  I'm fortunate to be married to a sweet, patient professional editor!
  
  
• So lucky to work with watercolor artist Irene A. Jahns, whose drawings help bring my stories to life.  I give her a draft, she comes up with illustrations and tells me to take my pick.  I usually pick 'em all because they are all so amazing.  Then I turn to graphic designers, who wrap my words around Irene's pictures, like putting icing on the cake, to format a perfect book.
  
  
• I pay attention to what’s going on around me (ummm.....okay, I eavesdrop a lot).  Waiting in line.  At restaurants.  At the movies. In cyberspace and on Facebook.  So beware.  You might be tweeting or standing next to me and find yourself in my next book.
  
  
• It boils down to hard work.  Writing, editing, re-writing, wrestling technology, and being a strong presence on social networks to support other Indies and engage readers.  Yep, it's tough.  But I love what I do and wouldn’t trade it for the world.
  

Thanks for stopping by.  Loved having you visit.  Please come again?  And stay tuned for the next tour stop with K., Corrina, and Karen.