Tammi has 8 picture books on the market! MOSTLY MONSTERLY is one of her newest and has a great story arc! It is full of emotion, great characters, plot that moves the story forward, words that "sing," great pacing, and humor. It definitely makes you want to turn to page to see what is going to happen next...
Something Tammi asked in one of her sessions was to ask yourself "Is this a picture book or is this a magazine story?" This was a great point...They are two very different, but worthy kinds of stories...Does the story rely on pictures to tell it? If the answer is yes, then it's a picture book...
Does your story have a universal theme? Like bravery, honesty, perseverance...
Is there a conflict or a problem? A BIG ONE????
Do you have a story arc? Obstacles the main character must overcome to solve the big problem...
Are your words fun on the tongue?
Don't forget to use humor. (Tammi uses a lot of humor in her books and it seems to be working well for her!)
Remember you, the writer, are half of the book....the illustrator is the other half. Your words must make way for great illustrations...
Choose a great title! (This week, I had a rejection because the publisher had a similar story under contract...followed by another email saying they really liked my title...so the lesson here is...Titles really do matter!)
You can find Tammi's Live journal on my sidebar. (smile...cause we're buddies now...) She has a great website that is kid friendly (cause she loves kids). She also has a CHICKEN DANCE website with illustrator Dan Santat.
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If you are not following Dear Editor.com now would be the perfect time to start! They are holding a contest to celebrate being up and running for six months! It's a great place to go for advice and if you have advice it's nice to be able to share, too... So hop over and perhaps you could win a picture book critique!
Her books are so fun! So wonderful you got to meet her and learn from her!
ReplyDeleteI did a chicken dance once, fell off the couch, it hurt!
ReplyDeletehi miss sharon! wow this sounds like my kind of story for sure for the kid in me. i like writing all the stuff you said but for sure i cant draw. miss tammi is a really good drawer. is it ok if you get some one else to be the drawer and you be the writer? its cool you got a new buddy.
ReplyDelete...hugs from lenny
Love the covers of these books - great advice!! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post and great looking books. I will look out for her books here.
ReplyDeleteI finished Bad Girls Dont Die, you're right it was scary!! hehe but good :o)
Awwww Sharon K Mayhew! I'm very sorry about the rejection but there's lots of silver linings - your book title is fabulous and your theme is popular!!!! Yay!! GOOD LUCK with your other submissions - hang on in there!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the intro to fabulous Tammi Sauer!! I love the covers of her books - monsters and chicken dance! Yay!!
Take care
x
I'd love to meet her, always looking for a great illustrator.
ReplyDeleteLove the titles of her books. I agree, titles do matter :)
ReplyDeleteSharon, you are such a joy! :) Thanks for sharing me with your awesome crowd.
ReplyDeletexo
thanks for stopping by my blog today! glad i've found your site, too!
ReplyDeleteThis is really a great post. I've always wondered about picture books. I have four different stories I've written over the years but have never known what to do with them. I can draw, but I know most publishing houses like to use their own illustrators. This is interesting. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteGreat points, Sharon! I love Tammi! Did you know she's my facebook friend? I think she really likes me. ;)
ReplyDeleteI have never read any of her books. They look so fun! I'm going to have to check them out! =)
ReplyDeleteI love that phrase "Fun on the tongue." Thanks for the introduction, Sharon. And thanks for the great advice.
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon and Tammi .. sounds so interesting and I'm going over to have a look at her child friendly website ..
ReplyDeleteSo sensible to match everything up .. great read & thoughts .. thanks - Hilary
Oh those are beautiful illustrations in Mostly Monsterly! Thanks for the recommendation
ReplyDeleteMostly Monsterly and Chicken Dance look like fun books for kids to read. I like both book covers.
ReplyDeleteSharon, you constantly amaze me with your energy and networking skills!! I'll have to check out Tammi's books now, thanks to your great promotion :).
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you got an (personal) email from the publisher (even if it's after a rejection) telling you that they liked the title!!
Thanks for the recommendation. I've never heard of Tammi, and I'm a picture book lover (and wanna be writer). ;)
ReplyDeleteOh, how I LOVE this post, Sharon! I am printing AND bookmarking it. And I love Chicken Dance! :-)
ReplyDeleteThx so much... I never regret stopping by your site, if fact I look forward to it. Your attitude and writing skill go hand in hand, keep up the great work inspiring us.
ReplyDeleteI met her at the SCBWI conference in LA and bought her Cowboy book for my son. She IS super nice.
ReplyDeleteThanks for passing on the tips, Sharon!
Amy
Oh these books sound like alot of fun and the Monsterly pics look great! ;)
ReplyDeleteThe Chicken Dance??? We wanna try that! Sounds yummy!
ReplyDeleteTammi sounds wonderful and you know this is just what I need to hear right now. Because I want to try a PB soon! I need to at least try, right? :o)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for passing on the things you learned at the conference.
Cheers,
Jackee
Cool! What a great post -- Tammi sounds and looks very friendly...and helpful!
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteWow. You sure know a lot of talented folks. I'm very pleased you have posting up this information about an obviously talented lady, Tammi.
You've got loads and loads of really neat buddies, Sharon.
Right then, that's it. I'm out of here. I have so much multi-tasking to do. Now where did I put my cup of coffee?
Have a peaceful and positive weekend.
Kind wishes, all the way from England.
Gary :-)
Sharrrrron! :)
ReplyDeleteJust curious: What tone turns you off in an agent? Is my tone bad? I don't even know WHAT my tone is--facetious? Jocular? Oh boy :(
Kinda sad my kids are getting older and leaving picture books behind...this one looks so cute!
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting us know about the contest!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the partnership between the author and the illustrator. At the conference I just went to they emphasized that as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up about Tammi's work! I'll have to check it out. :)
ReplyDeleteI'M GLAD YOU GUYS LIKED THE INTRODUCTION TO TAMMI AND HER WORK. IF YOU HAVE ELEMENTARY AGED KIDS THEY WILL LOVE HER WORK AND IF YOU ARE A TEACHER...YOU WILL LOVE HER BOOKS! I'D BE USING THEM FOR SURE IF I WAS STILL TEACHING...
ReplyDeleteTHANKS FOR STOPPING IN EVERYONE! IF YOU DON'T GET A PERSONAL REPLY FROM ME VIA EMAIL IT'S BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR BLOGGER SET UP TO RECEIVE THEM...
Jude--My email is sharonkmayhew at gmail dot com... I'd rather chat via email if it's okay with you. :) You're tone is fine. I like your ninja attitude....your young, fresh and full of excitement for your career...I'll share in an email what I meant if you want to know...