“Writing Olympics – Not Always for The Medal”

I’ve been training most of my life for the ‘Writing Olympics.” It started with a love for reading as a child. Then I wrote fiction as a teen. In college, I gained a Journalism B.A. and worked in two radio newsrooms, and a TV newsroom for over five years writing news and feature stories. More recently I fell in love with writing for children.

Whether I’m tumbling with ideas, swimming laps with my characters, or running the track with an amazing plot line, the medal always seems out of reach.

I guess the equivalent to the Olympic medal—whether bronze, silver or gold, in the writing world would be winning an agent, a securing a book deal from an editor, and seeing your book published and on the shelves.

The more I listen to our amazing Olympic athletes on Team USA, the more I get it. They do it for the love of the sport. Sure it’s great to be recognized as the best in the world and win a medal, maybe even time after time.

Michael Phelps sporting a few of his total 23 gold Olympic medals.

Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time (28 medals total), said in the 2016 Rio games that he always wants to be the best and shoots to be at the top of the podium with a gold medal, but in the end it’s because he loves swimming. Phelps said, “I think goals should never be easy, they should force you to work, even if they are uncomfortable at the time.”

Phelps quote can be applied to the writer’s life and goals. I have none of the Writing Olympic medals above to show for all the countless, hours, days, and years of sweet writing sweat. Yet. But I do have countless children’s stories that qualify me to enter the publishing race. I’m tenacious, full of ideas and in this for the long haul. But most of all, I’m in the Writing Olympics for the love of writing. Always keep your eye on the prize and the finish line!

Go Team USA!

Your input:  What propels you to be your best in the “Writing Olympics” or any other passion in life?

Advertisements

“RAIN REIGN” Whimsical Word Book Recommendation

Summertime is normally associated with hot, steamy weather, ice cream, and swimming. But it’s also a great time to keep cool inside to read and write. Here is my first of many picture book (PB) to middle grade (MG) or young adult (YA) novel recommendations. The following is a MG novel.

Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin, Newberry Honor Author: A heartwarming and insightful look into the mind and life of Rose Howard a middle-grader with OCD, Asperger’s syndrome, and an obsession with homonyms. Rose’s life centers around school and her learning difficulties. Her highest priority is her dog, Rain, who her single father brings home during a rainstorm. But Rose’s life is turned upside down when Rain goes missing in a heart-pounding rain storm. Now Rose can think of nothing else but to find her beloved dog Rain and restore order to her shattered life.

The character of Rose is strong and someone we become intrigued and concerned about immediately.

Watch the book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1ixz0z6W4A

I give this book 4 out of 5 “Greats!”

“My Inspiration for Life”

Lynn side-by-side with her beautiful mother, Evelyn. That’s how it’s been through both their lives.

Since last time I’ve posted, my life has taken a gigantic, unexpected turn. You see, my extreme best friend, my inspiration, my dear mother, Evelyn – known as Mom to me – passed into Heaven’s eternal life on January 31^st of this year. I’ve been heartsick since then and unable to write. Until now.

My mother has been a great supporter of my writing since my high school and professional journalism years. And now my children’s book writing years as well. My Mom was a go-getter, as was my Dad. I’m thankful I take after them. A former boss told me I have a tenacious work ethic. I have my parents to thank.

I can and will always hear my Mom encouraging me to “get going,” especially since the publishing process takes so long. The best thing I can do to honor and memorialize her is to continue to write, revise, and submit manuscripts. She wants it that way. She can’t wait to see me published, even from her heavenly eye’s view.

I can remember my Mom reading to me as a child. I still own the multi-volume set of children’s story books

My Mom Evelyn, the best story teller I’ve ever known. The most intelligent and loving person I could ever be blessed to have as a mother. ~ Lynn

encyclopedia style she and my Dad gave my brother and I. I of course have taken them over. Those books and stories filled our minds and days with so many amazing imaginings.

My Mom was a bit of a story teller in her own right. She was no doubt my first influence. I have many fond memories of her sitting on my bedside when I had trouble falling asleep. There she wove a bedtime story that inspired my dreams. I recall how fascinating I found the story and I loved the fact that she told it to me again and again. I can’t wait to write it down for other children to enjoy, courtesy of my Mom’s imagination. She likes that idea.

Happy Mother’s Day, my sweet Mom!

“2016 ALA Youth Media Award Winners”

What better way to start the New Year than with the 2016 American Library Association (ALA) Youth Media Award winners recently announced!

We’re talking a group of talented children book writers and illustrators who have contributed greatly to the world of children’s literature in 2015. Here’s a list of the complete winners: http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2016/01/american-library-association-announces-2016-youth-media-award-winners.

Last year I watched online and found it thrilling. Where else can you hear a banquet roomful of librarians cheer, clap, hoot, and holler? I got caught up in the excitement and am now hooked on watching every year.
When the award presentations were over, I discovered myself inspired to revise and even write a new picture book with fresh found fervor. Not with the hopes of ever winning an award, very few authors do that, but to create a literary experience for children in this age of technology. Children writer’s and illustrators do what we do in hopes kids will tap into their strongest superpower: Imagination!

Here’s the link to the Caldecott Medal & Honor Books, 1938-Present: http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecotthonors/caldecottmedal.
Did you notice an evolution or revolution in children’s books over the decades? Did you find your favorite book(s) listed? I must admit almost any book for kids sparks my whimsy for daydreaming, and therefore writing. They transport me into a fantasy world of fun where of course, Dr. Seuss and his curious creatures reign.

Your input: Which children’s books powered your imagination as a child or an adult?

“Happy New Year, Welcome 2016!”

I’m bucking tradition and not making any new resolutions for 2016. I still have the ongoing ones from 2015: Eat healthier, exercise more, escape into nature more, become a minimalist, and spend more time with my Mom, family, and friends. I will also continue to delve deeper into writing for children.

Looking back on 2015, I’m satisfied with writing many new picture book manuscripts. To me, that’s an accomplishment in itself. I sent two of those manuscripts out to three agents and one editor. I plan to increase that volume in the New Year. So the journey and quest continues.

Like a field of wild poppies, I believe my greatest accomplishments this year were people, whether family or friends. Most exciting to me was reconnecting with two childhood friends who are sisters whom I met at age five. We were best friends on top of that, so they will always both be my sisters. About ten years ago we each lost contact of each other for one reason or another, it really doesn’t matter. What matters is the three of us have been reunited. I can thank Facebook for one connection and God for bumping into the other sister at a health fair.

I have made some new friends and acquaintances this year as well. I will spend more of my time with my Mom, and with my friends also where we have let too many months go between us.

Here’s wishing and hoping for a very Healthy, Productive New Year for my family, friends, blog followers, and myself!

Your input: What were some of your highlights in 2015? What are your resolutions for 2016?

“Thawing Out Writing Inspiration”

It’s in the atmosphere. Everyone is busy scurrying around to finish Christmas shopping, wrapping presents, visiting, and so on. Even here in Tucson, AZ the air is extra crisp and cold with a chance of snow on the mountains around Christmastime.

All I want to do is relax and keep warm with my hands wrapped around several cups of steaming hot chocolate. What better way to conjure up visions of sugar plums and new picture book ideas! Once my fingers thaw, I can write at the keyboard.

To be honest, my whole system tends to shut down when the weather gets cold and frosty. I find it hard to think and unravel the creativity. The Southwest has had several hard freezes this year, as the East coast enjoys “our” warmer winter weather. However, enough hot cocoa and I’m defrosted and the caffeine in the chocolate ushers in a wealth of wintry inspiration. Even here in the desert.

In the meantime, I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

Your input: Does the cold weather or the holidays slow down your writing process or fuel the fire? Are you ready for Christmas? Ho ho ho!

“Happy Thankswriting”

This Thanksgiving I’m thankful for everything in my life: Family, friends, my dogs, God, and the talent He has given me to write. I pause everyday and realize that my ability to write is no mistake and was infused into me at birth.

I’ve always had a huge imagination as most children do. I couldn’t help but carry it forward into young adulthood and beyond to become a professional writer as my career. Though currently unpublished in the children’s book arena, I believe it’s just a matter of time.

So this Turkey Day I coined the phrase “Thankswriting,” because I count my tons of messy rough drafts, revisions, and even rejections as blessings ever moving me farther ahead and developing me into a better writer and eventually a children’s book author. In the meantime, please pass the cranberries!

Your input: What are you thankful for in your writing and/or non-writing life/world?

© Lynn Rogalsky