WHY THEY WORK… A Review of Selected Recent Picture Books

June 2019 This review was originally prepared for a June 2019 Rocky Mountain Chapter of SCBWI Denver South Connect & Critique group meeting. I hope you find it helpful. Note on page lengths: First is listed page length (including endpapers), second is the number of pages on which the story actually unfolds. Backmatter is not … Continue reading WHY THEY WORK… A Review of Selected Recent Picture Books

CRITIQUING: JUST ONE MORE THING

The goal: Critique without overwhelming. The problem? It’s really tricky. The solution: Just one more thing… With the talented author Judith Robbins Rose (Look Both Ways in the Barrio Blanco), I feel very fortunate to lead one of the Connect Groups for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of SCBWI. Our Denver South Connect & Critique follows … Continue reading CRITIQUING: JUST ONE MORE THING

Picture Books: The Path to Submission

I put this flowchart together for the Denver South Connect & Critique Group of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of SCBWI that I co-lead with the amazing author Judy Rose Robbins (author of Look Both Ways in the Barrio Blanco). I hope you find it helpful.

Leaping into Genres

This past fall, I took a leap. I had wanted to take a more active role in the Rocky Mountain Chapter of SCBWI. When an opportunity arose, I volunteered to co-lead a new writing group — the Denver South Connect and Critique. Working with my co-leader, the talented Judy Rose (author of the award-winning Look … Continue reading Leaping into Genres

Nutty for Newberys

My January tradition isn’t getting into shape, losing weight, or becoming organized. Instead, I watch for the American Library Association announcements, and get my hands on the latest Newbery Award winning book as fast as I can. I’ve loved the Newberys since I was old enough to read them. This award, given to “the most … Continue reading Nutty for Newberys

The thing about jellyfish

By Susan Wroble Ali Benjamin’s book The thing about jellyfish has rightly won well over a dozen awards, from National Book Award Finalist to National Public Radio’s “Great Read of the Year” list. I loved the story, with its themes of friendship and grief, and its sections neatly divided by the parts of the scientific method. … Continue reading The thing about jellyfish

Finding the Time…

For the past two decades or so, I’ve struggled with that all-too-familiar question: How to find the time to write? I’ve pretty much tried all the tricks: scheduling writing on the calendar, going on retreats, the 15-minutes a day plan, writing at night when the kids went to sleep… They all failed, but that last … Continue reading Finding the Time…

Cocoon!

I was born with a hip that didn’t fit quite right, so I always knew I was going to be a candidate for an early hip replacement. The past few years gave a steady decrease in the things I was able to do. When I stopped being able to ride my bike around the neighborhood, … Continue reading Cocoon!