NEW YEAR, NEW FOCUS AND SCBWI DIVERSITY GRANTS

Happy New Year! 2017 was a year full of publishing and writing projects — my new picture book The Rock Maiden was released by Wisdom Tales Press, and I wrote articles for Faces, Muse, and Mendocino Arts magazine, along with appearances at the California School Library Association Conference and KidQuake at the San Francisco Public Library where I was on panels about writing diversity children's literature, various school visits, the Sonoma County Fair and Bay Area Book Festivals, and as a faculty member at the Book Passage Children's Writing Conference. 

The outcome was that blogging took a backseat. As 2018 begins, I'm hoping to renew my blogging with a new focus on multiculturalism and diversity, especially with respects to writing and publishing children's literature, as well as myths and legends, always a personal interest of mine (as you can probably tell by my last two books.) 

So, to start it off, I want to share the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) North and East Bay Region's two Diversity grants: the Diverse Creator scholarship and the Diverse New Member scholarship. 

The Diversity grants are to encourage a wider entry of diverse writers and illustrators into the publishing industry. Two Diverse Creator scholarships will be awarded — for a writer and an illustrator. It's open to any current member of the SCBWI SF North & East Bay region whose unpublished, completed work (illustrations or writing) contains diverse characters, or is written by a diverse author. 

The Diverse New Member scholarship is open to any children’s writer/illustrator, over 18, in the SCBWI SF North & East Bay region, (https://sfnortheastbay.scbwi.org/) with a diverse background, who has never been an SCBWI member, and is unagented. 

For more information, submission guidelines, and prizes, click HERE.

Speaking of diversity, I was asked by Disney Publishing Worldwide to write a Mulan Chinese New Year picture book. It's my first work-for-hire book project so has been a a good learning experience. After 7 rounds of edits, the manuscript is back with the cultural sensitivity readers. If all is good and well, it's on to Disney's illustrators for the artwork, and the book will be released in October 2018!

THE ROCK MAIDEN LAUNCH DAY!

   I am thrilled to be announcing the launch of my new picture book, The Rock Maiden, a re-envisioned folk tale from Hong Kong. 

When her husband is lost at sea, Ling Yee climbs every morning to the top of a cliff to watch for signs of his return. Tin Hau, the Goddess of the Heavens, takes pity and turns Ling Yee and her child into stone so that they would mourn no more. Only then does the fisherman husband find his way home. Will the family forever be kept apart? Or will devotion and faithfulness ultimately be rewarded?

Check out The Rock Maiden blog tour, and a chance to win a free book:

MARCH 1: Mia Wenjen, Pragmatic Mom - free book or free Skype visit

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MARCH 3: Jeff Barger, NC Teacher Stuff

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MARCH 7: Sheryl Hagan-Booth, Booth Talks Books

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MARCH 10: Susanna Hill, Susanna Leonard Hill's Blog

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MARCH 14: ReaderKidZ, reviewer Nancy Bo Flood

MARCH 20: MaryAnn Scheuer, Great Kid Books

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MARCH 22: Pam Margolis, An Unconventional Librarian

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MARCH 28: Stephanie Kammeraad, Mama-Lady-Books

The Rock Maiden can be purchased at one of these locations:

Wisdom Tales Press
BarnesandNoble.com (and any of their brick and mortar stores)
Amazon.com
Natasha Yim's website

SUBMISSIONS OPEN — REDWOOD WRITERS' FAN FICTION CONTEST

In addition to being a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), I am also a member of the Redwood Writers Club, the largest chapter of the California Writers Club. Since June of last year, I have taken over as the General Contest Chair for the club, overseeing all our contests. In 2017, our contests include Fan Fiction, Screenwriting, and Historical Fiction.

The Fan Fiction contest launched on Jan. 8, and is open for submissions until Feb. 19. Here is contest chair Margie Yee Webb with the details:

Permission to post this video was granted by Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan who says: "Redwood Writers are truly awesome!"

More details can also be accessed at the Redwood Writers Fan Fiction contest page.

Please check back here or at Redwood Writers for upcoming details on the Screenwriting and Historical Fiction contests. 

Happy writing and submitting. We look forward to reading your work!

NEW YEAR — NEW VISIONS

Happy New Year! Another year, another series of goals—writing or otherwise. Some people like plunging ahead without a specific plan and see where Life takes them. I admire that spontaneity. But for me, I prefer to have a road map. It keeps me organized and it provides a vision of where I want to go and how to get there. Sounds like outlining a novel, right?

For those of you who like road maps and setting your writing goals for the year, try creating a Vision Board. Check out these tips on how to create one: Make a Vision Board, Epreneur, and Pinterest Samples. You can use very simple tools such as a white board or cork board or large poster paper with markers. You can also create them with your normal desktop publishing programs or word processing programs such as Word or Pages then print out and post on your wall.

If you're like me, and love online tools, try creating a Pinterest Vision Board or use Canva. Don't want to create from scratch? Check out Foto Talisman and Betty Vision for vision board templates.
Here's one I created 3 years ago.

However, annual goals, I found out, didn't work that well for me. I have to break them down into daily or even monthly or quarterly tasks. So, I've been using Week Plan to create my goals. What I like about Week Plan is that I can list some longer term goals as well as create daily tasks. I can also assign different roles (which I do with a different color) for writing, personal, Mom tasks etc. so I can keep track of the different goals for different aspects of my life.

The key though, as with writing or anything else, is do what works for you. Most New Year resolutions fail because people create resolutions or try to meet their goals using approaches that simply aren't productive or doable for them.

So, try kicking off your writing with new goals and new visions, but if goal-setting isn't your cup of tea or hampers your writing style or creativity, then by all means, plunge ahead and see where your writing takes you this year!

What goals/visions/plans have worked for you? 

JUMPSTART YOUR WRITING WITH WRITING CONTESTS

   Last month, I talked about the power of conferences to revitalize your writing and boost your muse. Today, the topic will be on how writing contests can do the same thing. Are you feeling stuck on your project? Stumped for story ideas? Hit a creative brick wall? Writing contests can be the jumper cables to your stalled creative engine. And they're fun! Here are a few to get you started:

1. REDWOOD WRITERS PROMPT CONTEST

Write a 1,000 word fictional tale based on this photo prompt:

For Submission guidelines and contest rules, see the flyer below or visit the Redwood Writer's Club website. 

2. THE WRITER MAGAZINE "THE DARKEST HOUR" SHORT STORY CONTEST

Write a 2,000 word fictional short story using any nuance, definition, or understanding of the word "dark." Enter at The Writer.

3. THE STORY SHARES WRITING CONTEST

Registered users must submit a story between 1,000 and 10,000 words ("Qualifying Story") and designate the story under one of the following categories: 1) Diversity, 2) Historical Fiction, 3) Fantasy, 4) Horror/Suspense or 5) Teens by Teens. For contest info. and submission guidelines, visit Story Shares.

Check out these other lists of writing contests:

Funds for Writers

The Write Life 

Poets and Writers

Good luck! And may the Muse be with you.

JUMP START YOUR WRITING WITH CONFERENCES AND WEBINARS

With Robyn Murphy infront of our house
rental on the Mendocino Coast.

   I attended the Mendocino Coast Writer's Conference during the first week of August—and came back inspired and refreshed, ready to tackle my writing. Editor Laura Atkins' Young Adult and Middle Grade workshop was fantastic. We had a lovely group of participants who gave specific, constructive yet gentle feedback on each other's manuscripts; I met another Ukiah writer who is interested in joining the SCBWI Mendocino County Meet and Greet; and, as always, I had fun hanging out with my writing buds, Amanda Conran (author of The Lost Celt) and Robyn Murphy.
   Conferences are such a great way to meet people and network with industry professionals, as well as learn more craft techniques (I learned about the "scaffolding" process for outlining your book, and that my novel should be middle grade, not young adult—a huge vision shift). In spite of receiving a partial scholarship to attend this conference, the total costs, including accommodations, can be quite pricey.

At the Hill House with Robyn Murphy and
Amanda Conran

   If time or money doesn't allow you to attend a writing conference right now, there are some good online options. Currently, I'm taking a Novel Master Class with James Patterson. Yes, that James Patterson. At $90, this 36 session webinar is reasonably-priced. You can watch the videos at your own pace, in the comfort of your own home. Of course, what you get out of the webinar depends on what you put into it. I highly recommend doing the "homework" assignments (don't worry, they're not very time consuming) and watching some additional links such as Mr. Patterson critiquing novel loglines submitted by former students. There are different webinars with a "Master": screenwriting with Aaron Sorkin, singing with Christina Aguilar, acting with Dustin Hoffman. Access these webinars at www.masterclass.com, and learn from a Master of the craft!
   And if you write for children, Mira Reisberg and the Children's Book Academy offers a series of wonderful webinars on all aspects of creating children's books, http://www.childrensbookacademy.com.
   Till next time, happy learning—and writing!

RENEW, REJUVENATE AND REBIRTH YOUR WRITING

   Aaah, Spring! It's the time of rebirth, rejuvenation and renewal. I love this time of year, when the days get longer, the sun smiles down upon us (in California anyway), warm but not blistering hot, birds twitter in the early morning air...and I'm thinking this is as good a time as any for the rebirth and rejuvenation of my blog as well. No, I'm not changing anything drastic, but it's lain dormant for too long. I do want to focus this year on topics that other writers would find more helpful though, so if you have anything you'd like me to explore, research, or post here, let me know. 
   Since Spring can also be a renewal time for our writing, I'd like to start with upcoming writing conferences and workshops. My sister, Shirin Yim Bridges, publisher of Goosebottom Books and Gosling Press wrote this great post about the Power of Conferences on her blog. To add to her list, here are some other workshops, conferences, retreats to jumpstart your writing:

BASIC SCRIVENER FOR WRITERS, Saturday, April 30, 2016, 2 pm. - 4 pm., Walnut Creek, CA. - Join me for this hands-on two hour workshop. I'll walk you through how to get started with this powerful writing tool. Bring your laptops! Register here. You can download a free 30-day trial of Scrivener here. 

BOOK PASSAGE YOUNG ADULT AND MIDDLE GRADE INTENSIVE WRITING WEEKEND, July 16 - 17, Corte Madera, CA. Participants will have a chance to not only learn and network but to workshop! The panels will cover information for both new and established writers like how to make your query letter stand out, marketing and promotion, developing ideas and how to writer a compelling narrative. There will be many opportunities for faculty and participants to talk, laugh, and exchange ideas in workshops, lunches, and dinner.

SCBWI SUMMER CONFERENCE, July 29 - Aug. 1, Los Angeles, CA. - The SCBWI conference is a rare opportunity to meet and network with the most influential group of the key decision makers in children’s publishing. A brilliant array of children’s book authors and illustrators will inspire you with their knowledge and vision, and help you bring your craft to a new level.

MENDOCINO COAST WRITER'S CONFERENCE, August 4 - 7, Mendocino, CA. - Workshops, craft discussions, panels, agent pitch sessions, manuscript consults on the beautiful Mendocino coast. Scholarships are available. Fees and registration here.

PUBLISHING BOOT CAMP, August 7, Mendocino, CA. - Shirin Yim Bridges—who leads this popular program internationally—will work closely with writers who want to visualize and plan a publishing strategy. Whether nonfiction, poetry, fiction, or children´s literature, the publishing world is wide-open these days, with more options than ever before. A box lunch is included. Plan to spend the day on-campus and learn the latest about publishing, whether or not you have an agent.

SCBWI GREEN GULCH WRITING RETREAT, Sept. 9 - 11, Mill Valley, CA. Need some time to write away from the distractions of traffic, family demands, and that never-ending pile of laundry? This is a great writing retreat for children's, YA and middle grade writers.

WRITING WORKSHOP OF SAN FRANCISCO, Saturday, Sept. 10, 9 am. - 5 pm., San Francisco, CA. - a one-day "How to Get Published" workshop. Agent pitch sessions and manuscript critiques available. The early bird registration fee of $149 is fairly inexpensive as far as writing workshops go.

PACIFIC COAST CHILDREN'S WRITERS WORKSHOP, Sept. 23 - 25, Santa Cruz, CA. - This intensive seminar offers editor or agent feedback on selected whole-novel manuscripts, including two in-person consults with a mentor, and editor and agent critiques on your polished, opening chapters. Register and apply here. Manuscript critiques are due April 30!

Next week, we'll explore writing grants and awards!

JOIN ME FOR "CASUAL COFFEE"

Do you live in Mendocino, Lake or Sonoma County? Do you write for kids and teens? Join me at the first ever Mendocino County Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) "Casual Coffee"!

TAKING THE NANOWRIMO PLUNGE

Okay, I'm taking the plunge! Yep, the NaNoWriMo plunge. If you haven't heard of NaNoWriMo, it's National Novel Writing Month, in which writers attempt to write 50,000 words in the month of November. I've long wanted to try this challenge, but never attempted it because:

a) 50,000 words is daunting
b) The rule is: start from scratch and write 50,000 words without looking back. When NaNoWriMo rolls around every year, I'm always in the middle of projects and don't have something I can "start from scratch"
c) Not looking back? For someone who often starts off with reading and revising the last thing I wrote, this is like telling me to grow two heads.
d) I have three kids, and my writing time is often interrupted. I have gone from a consistent daily writing routine to writing in spurts. NaNoWriMo will require me to write about 1,666 words a day. I'm lucky some days if I can get 200 words in!
d) 50,000 words is daunting

The reason I decided to take the plunge this year is because:

a) There is NO NaNoWriMo police. If I don't finish 50,000 words, I'm not going to get hauled off to jail—or get sent to a writing work camp in Siberia (although that does sound kind of nice—except for the cold). So, what do I have to lose?
b) If I only make 20,000 words, not 50,000, that's 20,000 words more than I have now
c) I have a novel I have started on, but want to completely re-write from scratch
d) It'll give me an excuse for sitting my butt in a chair and churning out words.
e) There is actually a whole writing support community on the NaNoWriMo website. Yes! A whole writing tribe! Along with writing tips, writing events, write-ins in your local region (physical locations where you can actually write with other writers participating in NaNoWriMo).

Okay, so who's taking the plunge with me? If you do, don't forget to tap me as a NaNoWriMo Writing Buddy.

READING BEGINS WITH LEARNING TO READ

   In my last post, I talked about the need for diversity in children's literature. Today, I'm going to back up a step — it doesn't matter much if books have diverse content if children cannot read them. Sept. 8 was International Literacy Day and Grammarly.com has a literacy campaign dedicated to supporting literacy around the world and putting books into the hands of children in need. The following infographic from Grammarly.com shows the staggering statistics — 757 million adults around the world can't read or write; 124 million children or adolescents do not attend school. In the U.S. alone, 32 million adults are illiterate.
   Help fight illiteracy: share this infographic on your blog and Grammarly will donate $10 in your name to one of these three literacy-promoting charities of your choice: 

Reading Is Fundamental
First Book
ProLiteracy

To get the embed code, check out Grammarly's blog post. If you share the infographic, please attribute it to Grammarly with a link to https://www.grammarly.com/plagiarism-checker. Once you've published the graphic on your site, drop Grammarly an email to let them know which charity you've chosen and they'll make the donation on your behalf. 



   I've joined First Books as an Author in Action. When I receive my personal url from them, I can use it to help promote their cause to get books into the hands of underprivileged children and to help programs and schools serving disadvantaged kids get free books by linking them to First Books.
   The best part of being an author is when I get to read my books to kids and see their faces light up with delight when they hear a story. Every child deserves to experience that.