New Uses For Old Books: Decoupage Pumpkins

File this under reason to procrastinate # 139,977.

The writing is just not coming this week, so I think it’s time for another Fun Friday craft.  Isn’t this a great use for an old used book?

The directions to make this pumpkin is on makeandtakes.com with great photos.

So I’m going to try to write (really I am) but if I can’t… I see a cool pumpkin in my future.

Happy crafting writing,

Suzanne Santillan

Writing on the Sidewalk

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The Why Chromosome: Why Do Boys Love Books

Our friends Alyson and Alethea at Bridge to Books are presenting another great event in October and it’s not too late to purchase tickets. 

The Why Chromosome is an author event and book signing for readers, writers, bloggers, and educators interested in middle grade and young adult literature. Our special focus will be on boys and encouraging their love of reading.

Do boys love books? Meet authors Andrew Smith(Stick), Peter Auxier (Peter Nimble & His Fantastic Eyes), G. Neri (Ghetto Cowboy), **Greg Van Eekhout (The Boy at the End of the World), John Stephens (The Emerald Atlas), and Allen Zadoff (My Life, The Theater, and Other Tragedies) who will talk about how and why boys DO love reading! 

Here are the important details:

When: Sunday, October 30, 2011 – 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Where: Mrs. Nelson’s Toy & Book Shop, 1030 Bonita Avenue, La Verne, CA 91750 | MAP
TEL (909) 599-4558 // email for info: bridgetobooks@gmail.com

What: $12.50 will provide one person food/drink and a swag bag. Excess funds will be donated to Book by Book.

How: Purchase your ticket here before October 16 to get the Early Bird price of $12.50.

This sounds like a great event, so if you are a boy or know a boy or love a boy (and who doesn’t) be sure to sign up for this event. Nice job Alyson and Alethea.

Happy Reading,

Suzanne Santillan

Writing on the Sidewalk

**I’m happy to see that Greg VanEekhout who we featured on a recent Author Spotlight will be in attendance.

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Really? The Ten Most Farfetched Reasons to Ban a Book.

This week is banned books week and in honor of this event I decided to post this list that I found on the ALA website. 

Ten most farfetched (silliest, irrational, illogical) reasons to ban a book:

1. “Encourages children to break dishes so they won’t have to dry them.” ( A Light in the Attic, by Shel Silverstien)
2. “It caused a wave of rapes.” ( Arabian Nights, or Thousand and One Nights, anonymous)
3. “If there is a possibility that something might be controversial, then why not eliminate it?” ( Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, by Dee Brown)
4. “Tarzan was ‘living in sin’ with Jane.” ( Tarzan, by Edgar Rice Burroughs)
5. “It is a real ‘downer.’” ( Diary of Anne Frank, by Anne Frank)
6. “The basket carried by Little Red Riding Hood contained a bottle of wine, which condones the use of alcohol.” ( Little Red Riding Hood, by Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm K. Grimm)
7. “One bunny is white and the other is black and this ‘brainwashes’ readers into accepting miscegenation.” ( The Rabbit’s Wedding, by Garth Williams)
8. “It is a religious book and public funds should not be used to purchase religious books.” ( Evangelical Commentary on the Bible, by Walter A. Elwell, ed.)
9. “A female dog is called a bitch.” ( My Friend Flicka, by Mary O’Hara)
10. “An unofficial version of the story of Noah’s Ark will confuse children.” ( Many Waters, by Madeleine C. L’Engle)

If you’d like to learn more about Banned Books Week and activities in your area be sure to check out their site.

Happy Reading,

Suzanne Santillan

Writing on the Sidewalk

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Author Spotlight: Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson

This week we are thrilled to feature not one, but two talented authors for our Author Spotlight feature. Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson, authors of the book series The Familiars have taken a few minutes from the promotion of their second book: The Familiars: The Secrets of the Crown, to visit with us today. Welcome to the Sidewalk, Adam and Andrew.

Brief Bio:

ADAM JAY EPSTEIN spent his childhood in Great Neck, New York, while ANDREW JACOBSON grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but the two met in a parking garage out in Los Angeles. They have been writing for film and television together ever since. This is their first book.

One day, Adam asked Andrew, “Are you familiar with what a familiar is?” And from that simple question, Vastia was born, a fantastical world filled with the authors’ shared love of animals and magic. They wrote every word, sentence, and page together, sitting opposite each other.

Adam Jay Epstein lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Jane, their daughters, Penny and Olive, and a black-and-white alley cat who hangs out in their backyard. Andrew Jacobson lives with his wife, Ashley, their son, Ryder, and their dog, Elvis, four traffic lights away.

Author Spotlight:

Q:  What was your road to publication?

A: We began our careers as screenwriters 10 years ago. Our first movie was NOT ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE. It was very different from the kind of writing we are doing now. After about 8 years of writing comedy films and TV, we wanted to try something different. That led to our first novel, THE FAMILIARS. We were fortunate to get a book agent off of our proposal for that series and sold it to Harper Collins soon after submission. It sounds like it was an overnight success, but just because our first book was published, we spent many years in the trenches of Hollywood working to establish ourselves.

Q: Can you tell me a bit about your writing process? Do you plot or not?

A: We like to start with a big idea. For THE FAMILIARS that was simply telling a fantasy story from the perspective of the wizards’ animal companions. Then we started to think about our protagonists. Once we decided on a cat, a bird, and a frog, we began plotting an outline. For the book, we had a very detailed outline. We always know where our story is going to end… in this case, where the third book of the trilogy would end. In order to have plants and pay-offs, we find it is crucial to know where you are going before you start.

Q: Are you working on any new projects that you can tell us about?

A: We have recently signed a new deal with Harper Collins for a fourth Familiars book and two books of a brand new middle grade sci fi series that we are not yet able to disclose the details of. Additionally, we continue to write screenplays. Currently, we are working on a movie for Nickelodeon/Paramount with the producer of TRANSFORMERS called LIONS, TIGERS, AND
BEARS.

Q: Describe your studio or usual work space for us.

A: Typically, we work together in the home office at our respective houses. Either way, Andrew sits in front of the computer typing while Adam sits across from him in a big, comfy chair, usually eating snacks.

Q: What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

A: Adam has always wanted to try his hand at being a video game designer. Andrew would probably take a shot at being an ESPN Sportscenter anchor.

Q: What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?

A: Adam attended space camp when he was in high school. Andrew was his freshman dorm’s ping pong champion.

Q: Can you share a little bit about your writing process? How do you divide up your writing duties?

A: We write every word, sentence, and paragraph together, sitting across from each other in the same room from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.

Q: Your book is now slated to become a movie, can you tell us how that came to be?

A: As we said, we began our careers as screenwriters, so we had the advantage of having a film agent in Los Angeles who was able to sell the rights to THE FAMILIARS to Sony Animation. After the book sold to Harper Collins, film executives in Hollywood heard about it and began calling. Within a few days, the deal was done, and as a bonus, we were hired to write the screenplay!

Q: We here at Writing on the Sidewalk tend to procrastinate with our writing, where do you fit in Procrastinator or Proactive?

A: We are so Proactive that we both use the skin product even though neither of us have acne. To our wives’ dismay, we never miss a day of work.

WOTS: Thanks Adam and Andrew.

If you’d like to learn more about Adam and Andrew or to check out their books be sure to check out the following links:

http://www.thefamiliars.com

http://www.facebook.com/thefamiliars

http://twitter.com/#!/the_familiars

Happy Reading,

Suzanne Santillan

Writing on the Sidewalk

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Dare to Do

Sometimes the writing process needs a good old shake up.

Instead of writing what you know – or the WAY you know – try something new.

Sometimes the challenge of writing in a new genre or style opens your eyes in ways never anticipated.

Take risks, dare to do the new…

Shaking up the same story

• Change narrative point of view (from first to third – or maybe even second.)
• Tell a scene from a different characters’s point of view.
• Take one scene and make it a separate stand-alone short story with a beginning, middle and end.
• Mess with time – have your character tell this same story from a different vantage point – move to future and tell the story from a perspective five, ten, even forty years later.

Trying something completely new:

• Write in screenplay form – or talking heads. What kind of story can you tell using only dialogue?
• Write a rebus story. (See this helpful site for tips)
• Take the heart of a novel or short story and write it in one poem
• Create a comic strip (even if you are not an artist!)
• Write a story in Pig Latin.

Most importantly have fun! Dare to do! Say wa-hoo!

Sarah Wones Tomp

WRITING ON THE SIDEWALK

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Pretties for Sale! Support ABFFE and Banned Books Week

The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) is the bookseller’s voice in the fight against censorship.

Next week, September 24 – October 1 is Banned Books Week. Support your favorite authors who take risks in order to tell their stories. Plan to buy a banned book at your favorite independent book store!

And if you want something really special… check out this auction hosted by ABFFE. Make a bid and maybe you’ll end up with original art from

The charming ALONG A LONG ROAD

 or HARRY ON THE ROCKS

Or lots more! So many pretties!

Sarah Wones Tomp

WRITING ON THE SIDEWALK

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Why? Because I said so

One of the greatest gifts I’ve experienced in my writing is when my characters take over. They start doing things I never anticipated. They knock around in my head having conversations and all I can do is eavesdrop.

And then I have to figure out how these things work together – a great scene, no matter how awesome, has to fit into the overall story arc.

Sometimes these hijacked scenes feel dumped in and irrelevant. For me, as the writer, the purpose may simply be getting to know my characters and setting better – I truly believe all deleted pages are with you as you write the next one – but sometimes these scenes feel so deeply important that everything else has to be rearranged to make room.

In order to avoid having my story turn episodic – to be a series of unrelated events – I have to keep asking WHY? And for each scene, I should be able to explain its relevance with BECAUSE…

I often have to go backwards  to support great scenes – to establish the WHY.

Don’t let your characters off the hook with a sassy “Because I said so!” Make them admit their motivations.

Sarah Wones Tomp

WRITING ON THE SIDEWALK

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Character Growth

We want to read about characters who grow and change. Ideally characters face challenges and experiences and learn and shift in response.

Some change more than others. Usually, at least in books for kids, the character grows for the better.

As a writer, how do you know if your character has changed?

Today’s flash of brilliance and answer to this questions is actually my Super Blog Buddy’s thought – but she failed to claim it last week when it was her turn to host our blog. (Mwahh, ha ha, let loose with the evil laughter!)

I was so astounded I didn’t write it down word for word, but this is the gist as I see it:

Look at where your character is at the end of your draft – if you took this version of this person and put him/her back in the beginning situation, would he/she now respond in a different manner?

Maybe this seems too obvious for some of you, but this is the kind of simple trick that makes me stop and think.

And it makes me thankful for fieldtrips with my SBB!

Think about it.

Sarah Wones Tomp

WRITING ON THE SIDEWALK

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Cookie Friday: Snickerdoodle Blondies

It’s a sad fact of life that I am allergic to chocolate. I know many out there would feel sorry for me but I have compensated for the lack of cocoa in my life with a love of all things cinnamon. Cinnamon rolls are my weakness but snicker doodles come in a very close second. I found this recipe on browneyedbaker.com and decided to share. I can’t wait to make these beauties to check them out.

Snickerdoodle Blondies

Yield: 24 blondies

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Bake Time: 25 to 30 minutes

2-2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup (8 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan; set aside.

2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in a medium bowl; set aside.

3. Beat together the butter and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, and then the vanilla. Beat, scraping the bowl, until thoroughly combined. On low speed, gradually add the flour mixture until just combined. Give the dough a final stir with a spatula or wooden spoon to make sure the flour is incorporated.

4. Spread the dough evenly into the pan (I found an offset spatula was the best tool for the job, as it’s a thick batter). Combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over the top of the batter.

5. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the surface springs back when gently pressed. Cool completely before cutting. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Yum!

Happy baking,

Suzanne Santillan

Writing on the Sidewalk

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From A to Z and East to West

My Super Blog Buddy Sarah likes to say that the true beginning of the year begins in September not January. If you have children, September marks the beginning of a new school year with new teachers, new classes and new schedules to adjust to. If you are a member of the SCBWI here in San Diego, September also marks the beginning of a new season of speakers.

On Saturday we began the new season with author Erin Dealey and her agent Deborah Warren. Erin is a K-12 Language Arts/ theater teacher, Co-Regional Advisor for SCBWI California North/Central, and the author of -Goldie Locks Has Chicken Pox and Little Bo Peep Can’t Get to Sleep (Atheneum/Simon & Schuster). Deborah is the founder of East/West Literary and has over 30 years of experience in the publishing industry, she represents children’s authors of all genres, as well as illustrators, and author/illustrators. Her clients include NYT best-selling, award-winning, and crossover talent such as: Marion Dane Bauer, Anna Dewdney, David Diaz-picture book collaborators Eric Litwin and James Dean–Patricia MacLachlan, Judy Sierra and Belle Yang.

With the topic of -From A-Z and East to West –Erin and Deborah demonstrated how the agent-author relationship works. Beginning with the tips, tricks, and publishing terms that began with the letter A and working through to the letter Z, Erin and Deborah talked shop, as well as the pitfalls and gains in the publishing world today.

Here is a glimpse of some of the information shared:

On the increased popularity of ebooks:

“Think of yourself as content creators rather than book authors”

On query letters:

“Sell me don’t tell me”

On revision:

“Weeding a garden is a great metaphor for revision, it’s a lot of work and your back may hurt and muscles ache, but in the end it’s worth it.”

On rejection:

“It’s not about your talent, it’s about the vision that the publishing house wants to create.”

On writing:

“You need three things: patience, persistence , professionalism. Talent is not what’s going to get you published.”

It was a truly informative meeting and I am looking forward to next month when Deborah Halverson is scheduled to talk about her new book Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies.

If you are interested in the upcoming speakers for SCBWI San Diego be sure to check out the website for more details.

Happy Writing,

Suzanne Santillan

Writing on the Sidewalk

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