Current Scratch: Join Us! Writing Tips, For Fun

Hi folks!  Rain ahead.  Hopefully you will have time to write and/or draw master works for the next few weeks. Short this week but useful!

JOIN US!  On June, 24 2015 we will have discussion, news, and encouragement. Topic TBA. Watch your email! Meet us at Barnes & Noble in College Station. Gentle critique begins at 9:30 a.m. Bring copies of 5 double-spaced pages of your work in progress. Those who have time stay for lunch at a local restaurant. Members and friends welcome!

WRITING TIPS

Here is a link to 10 useful writing tips!  Hope this helps you create master works.

Here are Mem Fox's hints on how to write a picture book.  Ooh, I hope you write something special!

Here is a link to everything you ever wanted to know about writing a middle grade novel at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management Blog. You might also want to check out this literary agency.  

Want to write a novel in verse for teens?  Here is a good blog article to get you started. 

FOR FUN! 

Newbery winners Katherine Paterson and Kate DiCamillo chat about their writing process. I hope that you will enjoy this as much as I did.  Here is the link.  

The views expressed here are my own, and not necessarily those of the SCBWI.

Current Scratch: Join Us, Good News, Book News, Contests, & Just For Fun

Hi there, folks! Sorry for the delay, but I was without phone & Internet Monday and Tuesday due to the storms. You never realize how plugged in you are, until you're without! Here's one positive about all the rainy weather... At least we have time to work on all of our creative projects. Let's get busy!


Need a little inspiration? JOIN US at our next event!

At Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park on June 13 for a Writing Day and Sketch Crawl. We'll meet at the large pavilion in the park at 9:30 a.m. and after brief introductions you'll be on your own to write, sketch, research and relax. Bring a picnic lunch, and we'll reconvene from 12 to 1 p.m. to eat together. Work on your own again, then 3-4 p.m. will be an optional time to meet and critique.

Admission to the park is FREE. There is a small fee for the museum ($5) and for the living history farm ($5 for each side or $9 for all 3 sides). NO LAWN CHAIRS are allowed. In addition to the pavilion, there is seating in the historical buildings and there are benches and picnic tables around the grounds, including the river overlook. We will have access to a few electrical outlets and running water in the pavilion. Bring a picnic blanket or cushions if you plan to sit on the ground.

We will arrange carpools early in June. Please email Liz Mertz or Candi Fite for any questions or if you'd like to carpool. lizbmertz@gmail.com and candice.fite@gmail.com . If severe weather is predicted ahead of time, we may cancel, but the plan is to go rain or shine.

Next month's schmooze will be on June 24th with illustrator Garrett Hines from Waco. Stay tuned for details.


GOOD NEWS!


Congrats to member Kelly Bennett! Her picture book, Not Norman, a Goldfish Story, illustrated by Noah Z. Jones (published by Candlewick Press, 2005) has been selected as Jumpstart’s Read for the Record book for 2015. On October 22nd folks all over the world will read the book. Support Jumpstarts goal of helping every child become Kindergarten ready by signing up to #ReadfortheRecord and buy your Jumpstart edition here http://bit.ly/jumpstore

ALSO...

Ellen McGinty met an agent at the Houston conference in April who has requested her full manuscript. Fingers crossed!

Let us know your good news and we'll publish it here on the Scratchpad!

BOOK NEWS

This is one of the best inventions I've heard so far. A children's book transforms into a tree. Just wow!

What to Expect When You're Expecting YA. See what trends are getting hot in the YA world.

CONTESTS

Pockets Contest

This is something new! A Twitter Pitch for Picture Book Contest. Check the link for deets.

Greenhouse Literary Contest

JUST FOR FUN

From YouTube to Author? Anything is Possible.