Everyone Can Find Ten Minutes To Write

Want to spark some creative writing for you or the kids?
 I wanted to share a few ideas that I've enjoyed.
Click on the links below and see where your 10 minutes take you!

*25 Creative Writing Prompts

*Write a story titled, "The Baby Dragon" or "The Bat Who Couldn't Fly."

*http://www.creative-writing-solutions.com/creative-writing-prompts.html

*Ten-Minute Writing Exercise    If you think you don't have time to write, think again. See what you can produce with a simple set of writing prompts and ten minutes of your time with this creative writing exercise inspired by Rita Dove's exercise "Ten-Minute Spill."   

*Pick a few random words from the dictionary and write for 10 minutes!

*http://promptsforwriters.blogspot.com/

*http://creativewritingprompts.com/   Hover over the number for a prompt!


Happy Creating!

Shepherd's artwork

Here's a sneak peek of a picture from "Mary's First Christmas"

The Shepherds are hurrying to Bethlehem to see baby Jesus!

Lets create a good book description and author bio

I like to research a certain topic and then sum it all up in one place where I can find it again!  Isn't this the perfect little place :)  Maybe this will help you and save you some time too!

BOOK DESCRIPTION
A book description is written from the publisher's view point, not the authors.
Use 150 words or less.

Karen McQuestion's way of writing book descriptions in a nutshellIndiewritingblog  'How to write a book description that doesn't suck'
Createspace 'How to write an effective book description'

                   
AUTHOR BIO... 
1-2 sentences with 50 words or less.
Written in 3rd person

Write a terrific author bio by Rachelle Gardner
Tips for writing your author bio from Createspace

 MY author bio

    "Sheree grew up in Oakley, Idaho. She moved to Texas where she learned to interpret for the deaf and say "howdy y'all". She got her degree in Early Childhood Development while interpreting for kids and frequently moving as an Air Force spouse. Sheree began creating children's books with sign language when a friend asked her to teach a sign language class and she couldn't find a fun story book with sign language. Learn more at her website www.aSimpleDimple.com"

My book description for "THE PIGS GOT OUT"

Now you can enjoy learning American Sign Language (ASL) signs as you read a fun story about Lila and her siblings' crazy day getting 22 baby pigs back in their pen. How will they do it on their own? Simple illustrations and clearly drawn signs will leave the kids saying, "Let's read it again!"

OK y'all.... how did I do?  

 

Want to Self Publish a Children's book?

Since I'm going to be Self-Publishing my book (writing, illustrating, publishing), I've been doing a lot of research to make sure it will be a success.

 Here's some of the things that have helped me and might help you too!

Self Publishing / Print On Demand companies
Deciding between Createspace or Lightning Source...
Createspace   a self-publishing/print on demand website with lots of helpful FAQ and forums is the one I chose.   I will submit a PDF of my book, after I've got it exactly how I want it. They'll double check it to make sure it will print ok, and I'll order one copy.  I'll double check the hard copy to make sure it's how I want it and then Createspace will make it available to the public to purchase at amazon.com.   I will get a royalty from each book that is sold (at the price I choose) and won't have to deal with printing, storing, mailing, returns, etc...

 BOOKS
The Self-Publishing Manual (How to write, print, and sell your own book)  Thanks Dale
Writing Children's Books for Dummies
The Everything Guide to writing children's books   (If I just picked one.. this would be it)
2013 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market

WEBSITES
Elizabeth O Dulemba   (Author, Illustrator, Speaker ...with awesome advice)
Dianne Ochiltree (Children's /Author)
New Self-publisher FAQ
Children's book stuff
Write4kids
SCBWI  (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators)

ISBN Numbers websites
isbn.org
Myidentifiers (Bowker)
Free barcode for your ISBN

   Best of luck!

Writing... as a job

I've been reading a few books about writing, authors, publishing, etc.  They suggested to make 1-3 specific goals each week with a deadline and if you need to, check in with somebody to keep you accountable and on track.

      On Monday, I set my goal for the week...

Take pictures of me signing 30 of the vocabulary words for my next book 'Mary's First Christmas'.  

  I triple check the signs with my ASL Dictionary book,  www.lifeprint.com and www.signingsavvy.com to make sure I use the most commonly accepted sign for my books.

 I'll finish taking pictures next week and then I will start drawing them (on my computer) using my hands as the models!

     This week I also invited a couple friends to go to a local writing group with me in June!

    One book also talked about blogging on specific days and keeping the posts simple. I've decided to try Tuesday and Friday. Tuesday, I will try to post a recipe I've made recently and on Friday, well, we'll see :)


    

The Pigs Got Out - Book Preview

Guess what... My book is finally done and you can buy it here.

Enjoy your sneak peak below!

Page 1

Page 3

Page 14

Page 25




 Happy Reading and Signing

Some of my artwork :)

THESE are from 2 different stories!

We chased the pigs

PIG

MAKE

HOPE YOU ENJOY THE PREVIEW!!! 

 I still have lots of work to do, yet am very grateful to my Heavenly Father for the many things I'm learning and for little blessings that he sends to give me a little boost when I feel this journey of self-publishing is a pain in my fingers :)

Read a story with sign language

Howdy all y'all!!!  I need your opinions!!!

   I want to create some story books with sign language at the bottom . 
Here's a sample layout, just to get the basic idea. (Bill Vicars of www.Lifeprint.com is signing the words)

LEFT PAGE



RIGHT PAGE

Think this is a good idea and worth pursuing?
 Any thoughts, suggestions, ideas?
I also want to do scripture stories with sign language!! :)

I would like the signs at the bottom to be similar to these by Cindy Wheeler

 I was also wondering if I should 'give' the main characters a name sign or just have have it spelled out through the whole book?   Here's an article that talks about name signs.


I've never done a book before so I am learning a lot and appreciate any advice you're willing to give!
Anyone published a book on their own? 

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