Monday 4 May 2009

Story Sparkers! Sun, shells, beach and blue skies!






Just posting some story sparkers.I took these on a lovely spring day at my local beach. They are of the Scottish coastline. This beach has won the coveted Blue Flag and Scottish Seaside Awards. Hope you like! :O)

Thursday 5 March 2009

Quick and Dirty Tips for Finding A Critique Group!












Wild Boar, Animal Park

Switzerland

Wooden spider / Cox Arboretum

Kettering, Ohio, USA
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Quick and Dirty Tips for Finding A Critique Group!
1. Join SCBWI
a. Search the forum for critique group openings.b. Join your local SCBWI chapter = SCBWI Scotland, SCBWI Germany, SCBWI Houston, Texas, USA etc...
2. Search and Join Yahoo or Google Groups for Children Writers & Illustrators.
a. post to groups and ask for any critique groups with openings in your chosen genre.
3. Start your own critique group.
There you have it. I found all of my critique group, at one time or another, with using these very tips.

Good Luck!
Smiles, Char


















Thursday 19 February 2009

Critique Groups and Me!

Lake Maggiore, Switzerland
Hi all,


I've been working hard on getting my picture book manuscript, The Pooting Princess, polished and ready to submit to the SCBWI Barbara Karlin Grant. Please wish me luck!

WhoHoo, I'm in two, yes 2, fabulous critique groups, Children's Authors Critiques and PBecritiques. My pooter is right at this moment receiving crits from one of these groups. Critiques from only one group you say? Nah, my princess has already received them from the other.

I must say, I LOVE my critique groups. If I can give one crucial bit of advice it would be to find a critique group.

Need some pointers on HOW to do this? Check back to this site next week and I'll give you some tips on locating you own amazing critique group.

Enjoy the picture!



Smiles, Char

Thursday 29 January 2009

New Books Galore!

Sue Eves has a new book coming out, very soon. Check out the widget below. It's called The Quiet Women and the Noisy Dog. More information can be found on her blog, http://www.sueeves.com/

Otto Grows Down a new picture book by Michael Sussman comes out I believe Feb 3rd. This is a special thrill to write this since I help critique this book in its baby stages. Well done, Michael! For more infomation on this book go to http://ottogrowsdown.com/index.htm

Ok, not a very long post but it is a post! (so it counts!)

Smiles, Char

New SpringWidget

Saturday 17 January 2009

I Suck at Blogging!




I admit I suck at blogging. So here's my New Year's commitment; to post to my blog at least once a week. I'm sure I can find something not too boring to write about. (finger's crossed)

Here are a few pictures; maybe one will inspire a story. I've chosen two with a summer theme. Wishful thinking on my part! The first is of Baby Butterfly Blue and an Ice Lolly and the second is of The Roman ruins of the poet Gaius Valerius Catullus on Lake Garda, Sirmione, Italy. This is my absolute fave holiday spot.