Wrapping up my WWTS Mentorship

This month, I ended my "Writing with the Stars" mentorship with author Paul Czajak. It's been an awesome opportunity that I'm super grateful for. Check out the blog post I wrote on my experience by going right here: http://beckytarabooks.com/wwts-update-debbie-day/. 

Also, here's a shout out for you all to buy Paul's "Monster and Me" Books! They are funny, sweet,  well-written, and beautifully illustrated. Be sure to check out his website right here!: http://paulczajak.com/?page_id=69

Mentorship lessons and Upcoming Writing Contest

Two things I wanted to share tonight.

• Number one, I started my picture book mentorship. Hurray! I wanted to pass on some of the tips I've found useful so far:

•  A great resource for picture book writers who enjoy writing rhyme is http://www.writingrhymeandmeter.com/ It's been great searching through the site and getting a better understanding of meter, metrical feet and all that jazz.

• Another wonderful resource filled with all-things Kidlit is http://www.underdown.org/. They've got everything on that site!

• If you are interested in writing a picture book series, use the same basic formula for each book. Formula example: character wants something really bad, many things stop her from getting it, she becomes discouraged, then she changes her work ethic and she obtains her goal.

• If you are a rhyming picture book writer, always always always have fresh eyes read your story out-loud to you, so you can hear where it's not flowing. (I think when I do this, I may record it!) A lot of times, we writers can't pick out the choppy parts of our stories since we are reading it with a certain musical element in our own heads - music that no one else can hear but us. It's important to write rhymes that anyone can read smoothly. 

• Don't be afraid to submit to publishing houses that are accepting open submissions without an agent. In fact, on the purple crayon website I mentioned above, I read that it can be harder as a picture book writer to find an agent than it is to find a publisher! Wow. Other genres may be a different story, but as for picture books, don't be afraid to submit to everyone and anyone that you think would be a good fit whether you have an agent or not! (AFTER, of course, you are positive your work is ready to submit). 

• Number two, I'm planning to enter this super fun writing contest!  https://susannahill.com/2017/01/28/announcing-the-2nd-annual-valentiny-writing-contest/ (P.S. You should too! It's short and sweet - perfect for writers like me who don't have a lot of free time). If you look on the submission guidelines, applicants are supposed to post their stories on their blogs, so here's a heads up: I will be posting my submissions in just two days! ...And yes I am submitting two...So stay tuned for a couple of Valentines Day stories coming up on February 10th!

Picture Book Mentorship!

Around a month ago, I saw a link on one of my Facebook writing groups for something called Writing with the stars. It was a mentorship program where hopeful writers would have the opportunity to apply for three different authors who they would like to mentor them. I was sooo excited to apply! What an amazing opportunity!

The process included telling a little bit about myself, writing why I was applying to my specific mentor, listing writing education completed, describing my writing strengths/weaknesses, and also submitting one of my unpublished picture book manuscripts. After submitting, I counted down the days until the winners would be announced. Well, that day was today! And lo and behold, this morning I found out that after 850 writers applied, I was among the 22 that were accepted! I am so full of gratitude and just can't wait to start working with my mentor, who is Paul Czajak, author of the adorable Monster and Me Series! His website is http://paulczajak.com/.  I so look forward to learning all I can, improving my craft, and as always, keep on writing!

Ps. I'm learning more and more that there are so many wonderful opportunities waiting out there if you just apply to them. I'm also noticing that I'm finding out about most of these opportunities through my online writing groups and my picture book twitter network. So, all you writers out there, stay connected! I try to post opportunites I've discovered on my twitter account, so find me at @debbiedayauthor. Join writing groups for your area, look out for contests - they are happening all the time! (In fact, I just found out about this one and I can't wait to submit). And then, APPLY. Just remember that you'll never get any further in your pursuits if you don't even try. So, go out on a limb and put yourself out there!

Stay tuned for more soon!