The Next Big Thing Blog Tour

I was tagged a while ago, by Sallie Wolf, to be a stop on The Next Big Thing Blog Tour.  Sallie is the author of: The Robin Makes a Laughing Sound: A Birder's Journal; Truck Stuck; Peter'sTrucks and her upcoming picture book, THE MYSTERIOUS CARGO.   

I forgot all about doing this - so sorry Sallie!  As it turns out - it's a good thing I forgot because now I have the cover to share!  Didn't Deborah Zemke do an amazing job?  Anyway, back to the NBTBT.  I had to answer the following questions about my soon-to-be-published (Spring, 2014) picture book.  So, here I go . . .

1) What is the working title of your next 
     book?
    The title of my upcoming picture book 
     is COCK-A-DOODLE OOPS!

 2) Where did the idea come from for  
     the book?
     I originally wanted to write a "Boy 
     who cried wolf" type of story, but 
     with a rooster. Then it morphed into
     a story where the rooster goes on vacation          and the other animals try to wake the farmer, 
     but are unsuccessful.

 3) What genre does your book fall under?
      It's a rhyming, humorous picture book.

4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your 
    characters in a movie rendition?
     It would have to be animated and there are eight animals and the                        farmer who all have pretty equal parts, so I'd have to think for a while about      how to cast it.  I'd love to have that problem.  :-)

 5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
      When Rooster leaves for a week's vacation, the other animals try their best       to crow, but they can't wake the farmer from his deep sleep.

 6) Who is publishing your book?
      Creston Books

 7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the 
      manuscript?
      Once I figured out the rhyme scheme and knew I was going to have a                 different animal for each verse, it went pretty quickly.  I worked a long               time on the ending - I just couldn't figure out how to wrap it all up.  But,   
      persistance pays off because I love the ending!!

 8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
      That's a tough question too because it kind of reminds me of Click Clack         Moo but it's in rhyme and that isn't.  I know there must be other books with       the same rhyme scheme as mine, but I can't think of any off hand.

 9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?
      I honestly don't have an answer for this question - sorry!  I will say that I           am constantly inspired by my author and illustrator friends!!

 10) What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?
        It's a funny story with a lot of word play and a few twists that will surprise         you!

Next up on the Next Big Thing Blog Tour is Miranda Paul, who has not one - but two - next big things!  I'll let her tell you all about it!  Take it away, Miranda!

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Poetry Month - Day 30: Hooray!!

I'd be lying if I said I'm sad to see Poetry Month come to an end.  I'd also be lying if I said it wasn't a lot of fun!  I know my poems weren't the greatest poems ever written - not even close!  But I'm proud of myself for getting them done - and on time!

A fellow writer, Marcie Flinchum Atkins, started a series on her blog called We're All in This Together.  For the series, she asks writers to share their experiences to help other writers.  Last week, Marcie asked us to share how we find time to write.  I didn't submit anything because I couldn't think of anything to write.  

But, in reflecting on this month's writing challenge, I thought of my answer - I find time to write when I have an obligation and limited time! If I hadn't publicly announced my goal of writing a poem a day, I would have let myself off the hook on several occasions!  There were nights I'd realize it was 9:00 and I'd forgotten to write my poem!  I'd have to get it written before going to sleep and I'd have to work in the morning.  If not for the possibility of public humiliation (ok, I'm being a bit dramatic), I may have gone several days without writing.

So, here is my last poem of the month, using a word I chose for myself - well, three words really:

In thirty days and thirty nights
were thirty poems I vowed to write.

For every poem, a friend would choose
a random word I'd have to use.

To write a verse and rhyme the word,

which sometimes made my poems absurd!

I tried to make the poems funny.

Sometimes I was on the money.

Other times, my poems weren’t great,

but none of them were posted late!

And now my April challenge ends

So thanks again to all my friends!!

I’m finished now.  Tomorrow’s May!
Until next year . . . Hip Hip Hooray!!

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Poetry Month - Day 29: Aleatory

Penny Klostermann strikes again! This time, she threw the word Aleatory at me! Never heard it before and had no idea what to do with it so I used a tricky way to get around it. I think it's a poet's prerogative!

Aleatory

If I’ve never heard the word, Aleatory,

then how could I use it to tell a good story?

I looked up its meaning so I’d understand

It means “by coincidence; something unplanned”.

To me, it sounds more like an awful disease.

Like something that brings on a cough or a sneeze.

Or maybe a legal word, used by a lawyer.

Or something received by your former employer.

It could be a building where scientists work.

Or something describing a guy who’s a jerk.

It might be the space running in between homes.

Or maybe the hats worn by cute garden gnomes.

Or how ‘bout a building where people go bowling.

Or paths in the park, where a family goes strolling.

It may be the smell seeping out from the trash.

Perhaps its a word that describes someone’s rash.

But, aleatory means “by happenstance”.

I think Penny thought of it purely by chance!

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Poetry Month - Day 28: Jr. High

My childhood friend, Sally, suggested Jr. High as my word for today. Sally and I met in Jr. High and lost touch for several decades, until we reconnected on Facebook. To me, that's one of the best parts about Facebook - reconnecting with old friends! Thinking back on my years at Locust Jr. High reminded me of what an angsty (real word?) time Jr. High is!

Jr. High

It’s do or die

in Junior High.

You need to have thick skin.

From what you say

to what you weigh,

there’s pressure to fit in.

The latest clothes.

The cutest nose.

It’s superficial stuff.

The tightest blouse.

The biggest house.

It never is enough.

There’ll always be

the ones who see

the worst in everyone.

But who’s to say,

their way’s the way

that things should all be done?

So, just be you

and you’ll undo

the need to fit some mold.

And then you’ll see

you’re free to be

a treasure to behold!

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Poetry Month - Day 27: Melodramatic

Today's word, Melodramatic, is from Erik - I wrote about him on Day 6, when he gave me the word Katzenjammer - great word!! So, without a lot of hoopla, here's my poem for today.

The writing is hard to read.  It says,
"Being a bit melodramatic aren't we Rex . . . it comes off next week."

Melodramatic

I tend to be melodramatic.

Quite often, I overreact!

My feelings aren’t monochromatic

They’re more like a rainbow, in fact.

The littlest things will upset me.

A papercut feels like a wound.

When someone is late to come get me,

I always assume I’m marooned.

I often give standing ovations

for ads that I see on TV.

I kiss and hug all my relations

and anyone else that I see.

They think I have bats in my attic,

because of the way that I act.

But, I’m simply melodramatic!

And that is an absolute fact!

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Poetry Month - Day 26: Fool

I ran out of words so I had to come up with one of my own.  I had just written a post for my group blog, Word Disco, and the theme was April Fools. So, I wrote about the fool card in the Tarot deck and related it to aspiring authors.  So, when I had to think of a word to use, I thought of Fool.  After reading today's poem, check out Word Disco - I think you'll like it!

Fool

They call me a fool

that makes me so happy.

To me, fools are cool

they’re feisty and scrappy!

They follow their dreams

with the faith of a child.

They’re just as they seem

and they’re often beguiled.

On journey’s unknown

they will risk harm and pain.

In storms, they’re not thrown

they just dance in the rain!

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Poetry Month - April 25: Button

Today's word, Button, was suggested by my friend and poet, Linda Wallin. I hope she'll write her own poem to post here! In case you didn't realize it, Linda - that's a dare!!

Button

Marvin was a glutton

who always dined on mutton.

which made his girth increase

and his breathing room decrease.

He ate another chop,

Then he heard a mighty POP!

Now, Marvin is a glutton

who no longer has a button!

Well, Linda took me up on my dare and wrote a poem using her word, Button. I LOVE it - here it is:

Poor Buttons was a good dog, I suppose. 
We teased him, as children, God knows.
I bent down to pet him
Just as my aunt fed him. 
I now have a scar on my nose.

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Poetry Month - Day 24: Noise

Today is International Noise Awareness Day - a day when we warn people about the long term exposure to noise.  Noise induced hearing loss can not be reversed!  So, if you go to concerts or when you mow the lawn or are exposed to loud noises, wear ear plugs - protect your hearing!!  You can learn more about it here, at the Center for Hearing and Communication.  

In honor of Noise Awareness Day, I'm posting a Bowery Poetry Club/ASL Slam!  Check it out!

Wasn't that cool?

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Poetry Month - Day 23: Spunk

Today's word comes from the spunky, Penny Klostermann!  I'm just guessing she's spunky because I've never met her in person, or seen her on video, but I have a feeling she is, based on my written conversations with her and her great sense of humor!  So, here's my Spunk poem - I hope you don't think it stinks!

Spunk

There’s nothing like skunk

to instill you with spunk

To run for the hills -

‘cause that skunky stink kills!

When out on the street

It is so far from sweet

But when it’s on dogs

it’s like living with hogs.

It’s just like the stench

of a World War 1 trench.

The skunky perfume

will pollute the whole room.

It sits on the chairs

and it climbs up the stairs

It clings to your clothes

and it sticks in your nose.

It wafts off your skin

which will make your head spin.

You'll feel a bit sick

‘cause the air is so thick.

So heed my advice.

I will not say it twice!

Avoid getting sprayed

or you may need first aid!

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