Beehive Awards

Here is a link for the Nominees for the 2010 Beehive Award.

I think this is a great reading list, for parents who want to read to their children or teens who can't find anything to read.

How many books have you read from the list?

Here is my (sadly) short list:
The Black Book of Colors by Menena Cottin; illustrated by Rosana Faria
Frankenstein Takes the Cake by Adam Rex
Beastly by Alex Flinn
Book of A Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George
Unwind by Neal Shusterman-I started this on but couldn't get into it. I guess I'll try again.

I know...sorry to add more books to your BTR list!

Medal Not Given For Stick Figure Drawing

This years winner of the Caldecott Medal for best illustrated book is "The Mouse and the Lion" by Jerry Pinkney. Amazing book! My 7 year-old asked, "So, you just have to make up your own story?" Then he 'read' the story to me.





The Caldecott Honor Book is "Red Sings From Treetops: A Year in Colors" by Joyce Sidman, Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski. Beautiful use of words by Ms. Sidman and fun, bright illustrations by Ms. Zagarenski.





The Caldecott Medal:

"Each year the Newbery Medal is awarded by the American Library Association for the most distinguished American children's books published the previous year. However, as many persons became concerned that the artists creating picture books for children were as deserving of honor and encouragement as were the authors of children's books, Frederic G. Melcher suggested in 1937 the establishment of a second annual medal. This medal is to be given to the artist who had created the most distinguished picture book of the year and named in honor of the nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph J. Caldecott."

Randolph Caldecott was one of a group of three influential children's illustrators working in England in the 19th century. The other two illustrators were Kate Greenaway and Walter Crane. His illustrations for children were unique to their time in both their humor, and their ability to create a sense of movement, vitality, and action that complemented the stories they accompanied.

The illustration on the Caldecott Medal, which is taken from Caldecott's illustrations for "The Diverting Story of John Gilpin," is a perfect example of the humor, vitality, and sense of movement found in Caldecott's work. The illustration shows John Gilpin astride a runaway horse, accompanied by squawking geese, braying dogs, and startled onlookers. (from the ALA site).

I will never win this prestigious award due to the fact that I draw stick figures and they aren't even in proportion.

Everyone Wins- Some Get a Medal

Everyone wins who reads.
Everyone who reads to a child, wins.
Everyone who tries their hand at writing, wins.
Everyone feels they win when they get published.
And a few published authors, win a medal, a bronze medal with the winner's name and the date engraved on the back.


The Newbery Medal:

The John Newbery Medal is awarded for outstanding contribution in children's literature.
The 2010 winner: "When You Reach Me" by Rebecca Stead

Four Newbery Honor books were also named:

“Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice” by Phillip Hoose
"The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate” by Jacqueline Kelly
“Where the Mountain Meets the Moon” by Grace Lin
“The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg”

I know.
I've just added more to you BTR list.
Sorry.
(Not really sorry. You're a winner.)

Leno vs. Conan- Fight for the Title

This post has nothing to do with late night TV.
But it made you look, didn't it?

I've been thinking a lot lately about titles. Titles for blogs, books, etc.
Titles can pull us in or turn us off.

A good book title will make us think twice. The first time when we pick up the book. The second, when we are done reading and look at the title again.
We know what Jane Eyre is just from the title.
What is Dandelion Wine about? It can't be a whole book on how to make a drink out of a weed.
Who gets to make the wish in Just One Wish? And what wish is it?
How many stories surround the Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet? Are there really roads called Bitter and Sweet?
What compels someone to read The Forest of Hands and Teeth just from the title? Sounds eerie.

How likely are you to click on a blog post that is titled Titles or Leno vs. Conan- Fight for the Title?
I've started a new blog for book reviews. I think I'll be reviewing more this year and don't want my writing blog to be taken over. But the problem is, I'm not sure I like the title of my blog.
Right now, it's Sweeter-Then-Taffy Book Reviews. Is that too contrived? Should I make it short and sweet like Taffy's Reviews?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated and seriously considered.
And if you would like me to review your book on my blog, give me a heads up!

I have three books in editing mode but the poor babies have had their names changed so many times they don't look at me when I call. Maybe, one day, they will tell me their name. Until then, I try and hang out with them everyday, correcting them and helping them along the path to betterment.

Cure Writers Block

I've gathered my notes from the last few writers conferences about writers block.
I thought I'd share them with you.

Got a case of writers block? Try two of these prescriptions and call your muse in the morning.

Let's start with possible causes of writers block:

Your bored with your story.

You don't like any of your characters.

You have too many ideas.

You don't have enough ideas.

You find yourself revising the same page or chapter over and over again.

Your too excited to sit down and write.

You spend too much time researching.

You're afraid you really and truly stink as a writer.

Here are a few cures to cure your writer's block:

Disconnect from the Internet. Too distracting.

Try writing long hand which means put pen to paper, literally.

Write most important chapter or scene first.

Set the time for 30 minutes and write, write, write.

Try writing everyday at the same time in the same place with the same music and snacks.

Reward yourself for a goal you've set. Maybe you want to write a certain number of words in a day or maybe spend two hours editing or spend the time developing a character. Whatever the goal, reward yourself.

Little House on the Bookshelf-Foto Friday

http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs20/f/2007/272/d/1/Little_House_on_the_Bookshelf_by_akasycophill.jpg

Back In The Saddle Again

Yes! I feel like I am actually making progress with some of my stories thanks to my niece who is helping me edit!

LOVE IT! LOVE HER! LOVE MY CATS (today only)!

(My throat is sore. That was a lot of shouting.)

Contests, Writing Contests, And Bonbons

Finding yourself with too much time on your hands lately?
Tired of soaps and bonbons?

Here are a few contests and writing contests to keep you busy:

Write a Book of Mormon Short Story! Doesn't that sound fun? This idea is fantastic, so turn off the soaps and head over to LDSPublisher!

Win an autographed copy of Melinda and the Wild West by Linda Weaver Clark at Suko's Notebook.

On Shooting Stars blog win a query letter critique, a 5 page critiques OR an autographed The Dark Divine by Bree Despain.

Anne Bradshaw is giving away a copy of Second Chances by Linda Chadwick.

Good luck everyone!
Now go eat a bonbon :)

Foto Friday

http://thedesigninspiration.com/articles/cool-photos-and-artworks-for-your-inspiration-8/

2010 Challenges-Chocolate Included

New Year's Resolutions are the rage right now.
It is January after all.
How many of you have made your lists? Anything new and exciting for 2010?
Do you have one big goal for the year or monthly goals?
I haven't made any goals.
I don't make goals in January. I like to make them in August, when the new school year starts.
I have goals every month, too, like editing a story a month or working a a query letter.
The list goes on.


Need some new ideas?
Here is a list of challenges you might want to join:

2010 100+ Reading Challenge (my reading list will be on my side bar)

2010 Young Adult Reading Challenge

Joyce Dipastena's New/Old Reading Challenge

Stephanie Plum Reading Challenge

Lisa Jackson Reading Challenge

Tristi's Challenges

Support Your Local Library Challenge

Good luck!
Have a fantastic 2010. May all your dreams and goals be realized.

Oh, yeah. I am NOT giving up sugar OR chocolate this year.
Or any year.
Thank you.