While Cynsations is Out of the Office . . . Super Duper Links!

One of my favorite writers, bloggers, and friends is on Summer hiatus from her site/blog Cynsations. Yes, THE Cynthia Leitich Smith! A wonder of a woman, a wonder of a writer, and a wonderful friend to all writers and authors in the children's lit world.

She does an amazing Friday round-up of Links and News for Writers and while I can't even BEGIN to do what she does, here are a few links from blogs/articles that I've particularly enjoyed the past month or two. I've even categorized them this week!


Website Tips and Info: 

Your Homepage is not as Important as You Think by Jane Friedman

Three Ways to Improve Your Website Design by Jane Friedman

Is Your Author Website Doing its Job? 6 Things to Check by Jane Friedman

10 Ways to Build Long Lasting Traffic to Your Website by Jane Friedman

 Just some Opinions: Don't Take Everything You Read to Heart! 

Ways Authors Waste Time "Building Platform" on Social Media  by Anne

Goodbye to Twitter Village, Lessons Learned  by Benjamin Anastas

Social Networking: Snubbing a Potential Fan? 

General Writing Posts that are Mah-velous! 

Boundaries for Writers by Kristi Holl

On Writing Despair, Juicebox Mix by Libba Bray

Fear, the Uninvited Guest by Robin LaFevers - go to Writer Unboxed and read EVERY POST Robin has ever written. She is Simply Brilliant! 

Printz Award and the Power of Story: Honorees Get Personal

Breaking Bias, Maureen Johnsons Coverflip Challenge  - Fascinating look at book covers and gender bias. Loved the covers shown.

Sarah Zettel, Writing for the Long Haul: this is the newest post in the "Writing for the Long Haul" Series on Janni Lee Simner's blog.

Other authors Jannie has had so far are here:

- Uma Krishnaswami on honoring unreasonable exuberance
- Jennifer J. Stewart on finding community and support
- Sherwood Smith on keeping inspiration alive
- Mette Ivie Harrison on defining success
- Jeffrey J. Mariotte on why we write
- Judith Tarr on reinventing ourselves
- Kathi Appelt on the power of story
- Cynthia Leitich Smith on balancing business and creativity

About the Writing for the Long Haul series

Happy Weekend and Happy Reading!

xo,
Kimberley

While Cynsations was out of the office . . .

One of my favorite writers, bloggers, and friends is on hiatus from her site/blog Cynsations. Yes, THE Cynthia Leitich Smith! A wonder of a woman, a wonder of a writer, and a wonderful friend to all writers and authors in the children's lit world.

I've always loved her Friday round-up of Links and News and while I can't even BEGIN to do what she does, here are a few links from blogs/articles that I've particularly enjoyed the past month or two.

Blogs that Resonated with me for one reason or another. Or perhaps a blog that served as Inspiration. Or a blog where I Learned Something New. A blog that Made Me Think. (Yes, capital letters like Emily Dickinson. I often like Capital Letters.)

Herewith are The Links:

Reads4Tweens: a Great Book Review Site

Where I am Ridiculously Honest when it comes to Writing as a Career: Emphasis on "Ridiculous" by Dawn Metcalf: I loved this and laughed and cried and could relate Too Much!

Can You Make a Living From Writing? by Chris Eboch  Practical, good advice!

Mette Ivie Harrison on Writing for the Long Haul Jannie Lee Simner is running a series with Authors on "Writing for the Long Haul" so check out the rest of those posts. One each week. Love them!

Innovations Traditional Publishers Should Try: I've thought some of this myself! Great ideas!

Are You Building an Audience of Writers & Not Readers?: From the blog, Writer Unboxed. If you're not regularly reading this blog it is a MUST! Go subscribe, follow, whatever. Do it now.

Is Your Author Website Doing It's Thing? 6 Things to Check: by Jane Friedman

Five Traits of Published Writers: by Megan Shepherd (agency sister of mine and Author of "The Madman's Daughter" pubbed by Harpercollins)

On Writing Risks and the Safety Net via PUB(lishing)CRAWL by Kat Zhang

Finally, have you seen this new YA book trailer for Holly Black's upcoming YA, The Coldest Girl in Cold Town?

Are you going to read it? What do you think? I remember reading about the deal in Publisher's Marketplace and thinking that it takes a vampire book to its limits. Sounds gory, but intriguing. Not sure if I'll read it or not . . . the jury is still out.:-)

Happy Linkety-Link Reading this Weekend!

xo,
Kimberley

It's SPELLBINDER Monday!!! Please go to our SPELLBINDERS BLOG and "Follow" us! Thank you!

 

Gathering at the Virtual Watercooler: Teachers Who Blog by Caroline Starr Rose

There are a vast number of resources available for teachers, and never before has so much information been so easily accessible as in the Internet age. Below you’ll find a list of teachers who blog about books, literacy, and their classroom experiences. There is a wealth of knowledge at these sites, and I hope you find them to benefit you and the work you do with children.

A Year in  Reading: Two Teachers Who Read. A Lot.

Fourth and Fifth-grade teachers Franki and Marie Lee read books and recommend books for K-6 classrooms.

Books 4 Learning

This blogger has been a teacher for twenty years and dreams of someday teaching children’s literature in a university. She reviews a variety of books, including non-fiction social studies and science titles, picture books, mid-grade, and YA, with an emphasis on fairy tales on Fridays.

Kate Messner's Teachers Write

As author Kate Messner transitioned out of the classroom to write full time, she devoted the summer to sharing writing techniques with teachers. There are interviews, writing tips, and prompts to benefit teachers and students alike.

Mr. Hankins is Reading and Writing in Kentuckiana

I would have loved having Paul Hankins as my high school English teacher. Enough said.

The Nerdy Book Club

This blog is run by three teachers -- one elementary, one middle school, and one high school -- who all share a love of books. As the Nerdy Book Bloggers say, “if you love books, especially those written for children and young adults, then you are an honorary member of The Nerdy Book Club. Like us, you probably always have a book along to read, a title to recommend, and time to talk about works held dear.”

ReaderKidz

From the website: Who are we? Some of us are teachers. All of us are parents and children’s book writers. All of us understand two basic truths about children and reading: Lifelong reading habits are established in early childhood, and children need what books have to offer.

We’ve come together to establish a resource for teachers, parents and librarians who work with readers in grades K-5. On a regularly-updated basis, ReaderkidZ will provide new and exciting downloadable tools we hope you’ll use in promoting books to these up-and-coming readers.

Reading, Teaching, Learning

Holly is a 4th grade reading gifted intervention specialist. Stop by to see what she and her students are reading.

SharpRead

Colby is a fourth-grade teacher in Battle Creek, MI. He’s one of the three minds behind the Nerdy Book Club, has served on the Cybils panel, and is in the process of reading and documenting all Newbery books, along with Mr. Schu, who will be featured in next month’s column.

Teach Mentor Texts

Teachers Jen and Kellee share from their own experiences how to expose kids to examples of great writing through children’s literature.

Teaching Authors : Six Children’s Authors Who Also Teach Writing

From the website: We are six children's book authors with a wide range (and many years) of experience teaching writing to children, teens, and adults. Here, we share our unique perspective as writing teachers who are also working writers. Our regular features include writing exercises (our "Writing Workouts"), teaching tips, author interviews, book reviews, and answers to your "Ask the Teaching Authors" questions. See our website for more about our "Writing Workouts," and for instructions on how to submit your "Ask the Teaching Authors" questions.

The O.W.L.:  Outrageously Wonderful Literature for the Middle Grades

Jill teaches 5-8 grade English and is a strong advocate for developing life-long readers. She posts reviews, interviews, and her students’ reactions on book covers.

The Poem Farm

Amy is a writer and teacher who wants to bring poetry into the classroom. From the website: The Poem Farm is a poem garden, and it's a spot to highlight poetry in classrooms. Please share these poems and thoughts snuggled up on your rug, on a SMART Board, in a center, or however you wish. I will post poems regularly on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays throughout the school year.

Two Reflective Teachers:  Two Teachers who Share the Passion of Literacy, Teaching and Life-Long Learning

Not only do these teachers share their passions, they share a name! Both Melanies teach elementary school. Their blog is a wonderful resource for professional reading, the Common Core, and bulletin board ideas. 

Sonya Terborg 

From the website: I have been teaching for 16 years in 7 countries, located in 4 continents. I am passionate about finding a significant opportunity to make a positive change wherever I am working. I enjoy learning more about the challenges and triumphs in education and believe in sharing ideas in order to deepen understanding.

Next month: Spreading the Knowledge - Librarians Who Blog 

Happy Monday!

~Kimberley  

Revisions FINISHED and other GOOD stuff!

The last 10 days has been, let's say, interesting? Mind-numbing? Frantic? Exhausting? Mind-stretching? 

I've been working 12 hour days. Right smack in the middle of it all, my computer started crackling and zapping and popping and then went black.

Fried the mother board - while doing revisions for my Harpercollins editor on my sexy YA novel (Fall 2013 lead title - I'm slightly excited, but you probably can't tell!! Nope, I'm cool, calm and collected).

Took a day to get up and running again with another old laptop sitting under my bed, but yes I . . .Finally finished the kick-me-to-the-gutter revisions yesterday and TURNED THEM IN. Yes, I hit SEND on the email to my editor, then sweated a little, then ate 3 donuts (yes, indeedy!) and went to lunch with Caroline Starr Rose and Carolyn Kuehn. 

Last Wednesday I was a guest speaker at WRITE ON CON the biggest, most incredibly awesome free online writer's conference ever. I was really thrilled to be a part of it, but afraid that I looked dorky or nervous in front of the camera. AND I realized later there was so much more to say about 3x5 card plotting. Here is the video to begin your tutorial!

I will be here again - soon I promise! - to talk more about Plotting Your Novel Using 3x5 Cards. Some GOOD stuff so check back in a couple of days while I pull it all together right here on my blog.

Meanwhile I'm going to eat some bon bons and read a book (I have 40 in my stacks that have been waiting patiently for me - me not so patient!)

BUT DON'T LEAVE YET! Here are some links to articles that I really enjoyed the past week:

This Product Prevents Literary Wedgies. Good for Multiple Uses. At "Writer Unboxed" blog. A blog you really should be reading daily!

Social Media Suicide at "Writer Unboxed"

If I can't go in Reverse, I'll go in Verse by Caroline Rose Starr

Magical Realism: Turning Ordinary into Extraordinary! With a book giveaway that doesn't end until September 5th so get over there, what are you waiting for!

"Does Publishing Kill our Love of Writing?" by Kiersten White

Enjoy!

~Kimberley

Fabulous Friday Links!

Here are a few links I enjoyed this past week, hope you do, too! 

Places I've done some fun and thought-provoking interviews and guest posts: 

Middle-Grade Charm

YA Mindset 

Theresa's Teaching Tribulations: Get Inspired


A Video from Room 23: Writing Workshop in CA with me! 

Other Writerly Links:


The Life Cycle of a Blogger: Ten Stages


Reasons Not to Self-Publish in 2011-2012


Writers Must Write First


11 Frequently Asked Questions about Book Royalties and Advances



My biggest news this month is a Special Gift from my brother and his wife who are driving down this weekend to build me a Writing Cottage!!! Yes, the dream is finally coming true. A room of my own. A quiet place without Toddlers and Internet and the Phone--or lots of Mess. LOL.

Will be posting Pictures and the Adventure! Just hoping the weather cooperates.  It's a bit dicey the next couple of days, but supposed to be clear, cold and sunny next week. Hey, he's from northern Utah so my weather is *warm* to him!


Happy Weekend!!!

Sidetracked Links!

Hey, I promised more juicy details on my 3x5 card Plotting Method, but I'm sidetracked today by several things. I was caught off guard yesterday, too, with STUFF - in some unexpected and sorta annoying ways . . . so here are a few links I've been carrying on my computer Tabs for you to enjoy while I get The Plotting Post written as well as keep going on the First Draft crazies of my new WIP.



First Up: I *just* learned that the Paperback of The Healing Spell is on Amazon for pre-order!!! September 1, 2011 is the pub date. 

AND: My new middle-grade novel coming out October 1, Circle of Secrets, is on Goodreads!!! Wowza! And people have already added it to their "To-Read" Pile - before I even knew it was up there! I was so surprised!

Alas, no covers shown on either of this sites yet. The Healing Spell has a totally new paperback cover, too.  It's very cool!

Here are some more *scholarly, writerly, delicious* links for you to enjoy about the writing process.

Donald Maass - one of my all-time favorite writer for writers. His books about writing are amazing. This piece is about Character Depth.

Do you ever get The Crazies??? Ally Carter expounds. She nails it - and is funny at the same time. 

Do you ever wonder about how/why/what to blog about? Jackson Pierce talks about it and has some great, common sense tips. 

Laurie Halse Anderson, a brilliant YA author, talks about how to make time for writing, writer friends, and carving out a life as a writer. Her blog is called Mad Woman In The Forest - which I love!

Enjoy!!!

Later gators,
Kimberley