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A Look at the Week: May 3rd-9th
Not yet signed up for Spring into Writing? Sign up here: http://ngi.c96.myftpupload.com/register-for-spring-into-writing/ Don’t forget to pick up a badge of your choice and the booklet!
A Look at the Week May 3rd – 9th:
Monday, May 4th: Kaitlyn Sanchez is talking about voice! She’s a writer and Intern at Olswanger Literary. Kaitlyn has generously donated a PRIZE! One lucky person will get a critique from Kaitlyn. https://kaitlynleannsanchez.com/
Wednesday, May 6th: Christina Myers is the editor of BIG: Stories About Life in Plus Sized Bodies. She is a journalist turned freelance writer and editor. She is talking about writing with kids! https://christinamyerswrites.wordpress.com/
Friday, May 8th: Larissa and Keith Marantz are a married couple who created the Clyde the Hippo books. They recently had a book launch for their new books. I am interviewing them about Clyde the Hippo, how they work together and future projects! http://larissamarantz.com, http://clydethehippo.com
Saturday May 9th: A Look At the Week May 10-16th.
There may be more surprises later this week. Keep checking back (or look in your mail) for more fun!
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Spring into Writing Starts TODAY!
Today is the first day of Spring into Writing and do I have a fun month of writing planned for you! I’ve got a bunch of great writers all lined up for you this month. with a fun 50-page workbook you can download and print!
If you aren’t signed up for Spring into Writing go here: http://ngi.c96.myftpupload.com/register-for-spring-into-writing/
Grab one of these two participant badges you see here and put it on your website, blog, or anywhere on social media. Please link to www.daniduck.com/blog
Here are the links to the workbook. They are both the same booklet but ordered differently depending on how you wish to print them:
This is a print ready version of the workbook. Each spread (or two pages) are made to fit on typical printer paper. This is meant to be double sided. The papers can be stapled in the middle into a book: Spring into Writing Workbook 2020
Spring into Writing "day" badge. Bunny jumping over flower bush while a duckling and two chicks watch. This is the copy to print if you want larger pages. Make sure to set the print to vertical and “fit to page”. You can bind these pages together with staples or a three ring binder. If you want a read-only version this is the one to download.
Spring into Writing 2020 Booklet
Spring into Writing "night" badge. Bunny in the shadows holding a red pen. Red ink drips from the pen and saturates the page. This event is meant to be relaxing. There are a ton of activities to do in the workbook. You do not need to do any of them to win Spring into Writing. If you have writing to do just continue working on that! Unlike my other event “Smart Dummies” (and other events like it) there is no way to lose Spring into Writing. Everyone wins!
Sundays I will be posting the weekly schedule of posts. 3 days a week there will be posts from guests. The other two days will be either a post from me or another guest. You can use the planner to write down the guests if you like.
There is no particular order in doing the booklet. I wont be announcing which page to do when. I might discuss some of the pages, but any order you want to do the book in is up to you!
There are some prizes! Kaitlyn Sanchez is offering a critique for one lucky winner. Her post will be Monday. I am offering a $25 gift card for anyone who helps me get out the word for Spring into Writing. If you talk about me on twitter please tag @daniduck on Twitter or @dani_duck_art on Instagram! There may be more prizes. They tend to show up at the last minute, and are very wonderful, so keep an eye out!
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Graphic What?
I just can’t wait until Spring into Writing. It is going to be a fantastic event. I have so many wonderful people sending me their posts right now. Things are happening. You can register here if you haven’t yet: http://ngi.c96.myftpupload.com/register-for-spring-into-writing/
So what I should have done for the last few weeks is set up posts. What I have been doing is working on artwork. I swear sometimes I’m the only one who procrastinates working on work with other, more complicated work. I mean it makes no sense. There it is. I’ve been skipping out on my blogging duties with my art drawing.
I am currently working on a graphic novel pitch. If you don’t know I have been working on picture books for the longest time. I was so devoted to making the picture book that I created the event Smart Dummies to help others do so as well.
Now I’m just cheating on picture books with my love of the graphic novel. My work is still for children. I’m working on a middle grade graphic novel, so that’s fun, but I didn’t know what I was doing when I started.
I started in Mira’s Children’s Book Academy making this book. https://www.childrensbookacademy.com/ I took the Craft and Business of Illustrating Children’s Books. I finished two spreads and went blissfully on creating lots of sketches to send in. The graphic novel package is pretty open to interpretation and there is no one size fits all.
I was pointed here not long ago http://www.mariavicente.com/blog/graphic-novel-pitch-package This isn’t a new site to me, but I didn’t think that my book pitch would be longer than a picture book. Or at least not enough to change my submission style. I think I was wrong, so now I’m finishing up 3 more spreads for my submission. I am a bit frustrated that I spent so much time doing all those extra sketches, but I think it’s going to benefit me in the long run. It’s going to help me edit my story better. When someone picks up my story, I will have extra preliminary work done. In the end it’s a win-win for me. Now to work on setting it aside so I can get Spring into Writing up and running!
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If I Could Save Ideas in a Bottle
Sign up for Spring into Writing runs through May 7th. Find out more and sign up here: http://ngi.c96.myftpupload.com/register-for-spring-into-writing/
The song “If I could save time in a bottle” by Jim keeps playing in my head. For those of you who don’t know the song I’ve plugged in the Youtube link to the right so you can hear it. If the link doesn’t come up you can go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzLS5hUMdQo
I don’t know about you but I feel like I haven’t been able to spend my days as I’d like. It would be nice to stick my time into a bottle and save it for a later date. Even if the day itself wouldn’t change at a later date.
I have a page that I want to put into my booklet that’s called Idea Jar. I don’t know if the idea came to me because of this song or from another writer’s post. It’s funny where we find ideas sometimes, and hard to remember where we found them. The whole idea behind the idea jar is to have that idea where you can find it!
I put on that song just before I started writing this post, and one line from the song is “If I had a box just for wishes”. What a neat idea! A box for wishes. I think I’ll add that as a page in the upcoming booklet!
A Page From Last Year's Book
Want to get a feel for what Spring into Writing is like? Here is a page out of last year’s booklet. Feel free to print it out!
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New Logo!
After posting the logo for Spring into Writing I felt that it felt very kidlit oriented. While I love all my kidlit friends I want everyone to feel welcome. I thought of this bunny a couple of days ago and just now made them into another image you can share with your friends for Spring into Writing!
If you haven’t signed up yet for Spring into Writing go here: http://ngi.c96.myftpupload.com/register-for-spring-into-writing/
I’ve made the giveaway a bit easier to enter: http://ngi.c96.myftpupload.com/win-a-25-gift-card/ you do not need to give links for all your social media posts now.
Join me on Discord: https://discord.gg/mEt4PGr
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Win a $25 Gift Card!
I just realized that my post about Spring into Writing registration being OPEN may not have been sent. You can register at the link below.
Help me get the word out about Spring into Writing and you could win a $25 USD gift card to an indie book store of your choice! You can enter every day by mentioning the event on social media.
Spring into Writing is a free event to help writers have fun while writing. Since it’s all about having fun you win just by being a part of the event. There will be a free downloadable workbook.
I can manually add in entries, so if you’ve gone over and beyond what’s in the Rafflecopter please let me know! Also let me know if you have any trouble entering.
You must be signed up to Spring into Writing to enter. The new guest list is up, but still in progress! Sign up to Spring into Writing here: http://ngi.c96.myftpupload.com/register-for-spring-into-writing/ (Signing up is absolutely free!) Feel free to use any of my Spring into Writing images to share with your social media posts!
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Register for Spring into Writing 2020
Register for Spring into Writing Here: http://ngi.c96.myftpupload.com/register-for-spring-into-writing! Challenge starts May 1st.
If you have trouble registering (or anything else) you can email me at: [email protected]
The free version of the writing workbook/planner will be available for download before the event starts!
FAQs: http://ngi.c96.myftpupload.com/spring-into-writing/
Find me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SmartDummies <- Page will be edited soon to add things for writing supporters!
To Sign Up for Spring into Writing: Sign up by commenting below!
I will be using this list of names to choose the prize winners. Most of the prizes will be given to those that complete the challenge, but there will be some prizes for everyone. Sign up starts now and runs until May 7th. There will be a list of guests added to the bottom of this page soon!
Also plug your email in to the right bar where it says “Enter Your Email Address”. If you have already signed up to my old blog, you’re in luck. I’ve transferred everyone’s name over here.
To Win Spring into Writing:
You chose your own goals in this event. Get halfway through and can’t make your goal? Change it. It’s done and you didn’t finish? Change them again. The most important thing is to have fun!
Spring into Writing on Discord: https://discord.gg/mEt4PGr
Spring into Writing Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1117605075090170/ (the name will change for the group later, but the group itself will be at this link).
You do NOT have to identify as an writer to participate in this challenge. It helps to have a love of writing! If you do not have a love of writing, then a love of writing will be assigned to you soon.
Spring into Writing 2020 Guest List TBA
Last Year’s Guest List:
Nancy Vo — http://www.nancyvo.com/
Becky Fyfe — http://chapterbookchallenge.blogspot.com/
Julie Hedlund — http://12x12challenge.com/
Kensia Anske — https://www.kseniaanske.com/
Mason Deaver — https://www.masondeaverwrites.com/
Ken Rolston — http://kenrolston.com/
Yvonne Mes — https://www.yvonnemes.com/
Nick Patton — https://www.patreon.com/picturebooking
Jennifer Cole Judd — http://jennifercolejudd.com/
<pMelissa Stoller — https://www.melissastoller.com/</p
Robin Martin — http://sbpra.com/robinmartin-duttmann/
Jennifer Ward — http://www.jenniferwardbooks.com/
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Make Your Marks and Splashes
How To Be A Children's Book Illustrator Banner 
Meet Your Instructor Mark Mitchell Mark Michell runs an absolutely wonderful class called “Make Your Marks And Splashes: A Natural Approach to Children’s Book Illustration.” It’s a wonderful illustration course for illustrators of every level. He is currently an instructor at the Contemporary Austin Art School in Austin Texas. He has illustrated a multitude of books and magazines. His Marks and Splashes course comprehensive and allows students to learn in a safe environment.
To read more about his course and enroll go here: https://illustratechildrensbooks.com/childrens-book-illustration-school-2/
Spring Semester classes start April 16th!
1. Creating your Dummy
Mark shows you everything in this course you need to know to create your Children’s Book Dummy. You’ll learn everything you need to know including: Thumbnailing, character design, sketching and how to bring your images to a final rendered illustration. You’ll have all the tools you need to send out your illustration submission package.
2. Watercolor
Mark shares his knowledge of watercolors and what they can do for your paintings. You’ll learn color theory, paint application, and everything you need to know to get your watercolors to behave.
3. Classroom Feel Without the Classroom
In Make Your Mark’s and Splashes you’ll get everything you’d get in a traditional illustration course without ever leaving home. You’ll learn a lot about the history of illustration and how it applies to contemporary illustration. You will be able to listen to lectures on your own time and have no fear of missing anything if you need to step away from your seat. You also wont have to fear that you are missing anything from a college degree, because everything is right there in this class! Even better, because you have time to absorb the information. If you miss something you can always go back and review.
4. Huddles
Huddles are meetings where everyone comes together as a class and talks about eachother’s work. Mark offers detailed fixes for anything wrong with an illustration piece. It is a safe space, though and he always offers corrections in the nicest possible way. The students in the class also share their knowledge and the result is a beautifully strengthened illustration.
If you have taken an art course before you may be surprised on how different the reviews are in this class. The feedback given on work is thoughtful and helpful. The classmates honestly care about the other members and work hard to get your work to be your best work.
I highly recommend you take this class no matter where you are in your career. Already working on a dummy? Great, take the class. What I find wonderful about this class is you are working on your own work. You aren’t working on a strange assignment that doesn’t apply to what you want to do. Make your Marks and Splashes specifically and directly applies to the project you want to do!
Spring Semester classes start April 16th!
Learn more about Make Your Marks and Splashes: https://illustratechildrensbooks.com/childrens-book-illustration-school-2/
Mark’s How to Be a Children’s Book Illustrator site: https://howtobeachildrensbookillustrator.com/
Mark's & Splashes Course Image and Link -
Fun For Kids!
I’ve got a new page on my website titled “Home Fun For Kids”. Right now it’s got a few things listed that my kids love, but I’m planning on adding more things in the future. These are all free activities, though some (like prodigy) have and optional paid service. Please let me know of any resources you know. If it’s a website of resources I’ll post it if it doesn’t overlap too much with the resources I already have. The page is: https://daniduck.com/home-fun-for-kids/
These are the current links I have posted, but will be adding more soon to the link above!
Programs:
Coding: Scratch Jr. https://www.scratchjr.org/ Works on both Android and Apple Devices. There is also a version of the program for older kids and adults called Scratch: https://scratch.mit.edu/ (This program is used at my child’s school).
Math Fun: Prodigy https://www.prodigygame.com/ You can play in a browser or on a tablet/phone. Your child may have a profile through their school. (This program is used at my child’s school).
Roblox: Contains a lot of player created games. https://www.roblox.com/ Roblox Studio (for creating games): https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/203313860-Roblox-Studio
What Should I Draw?
On Twitter @DrawWhat & include: #WSID Children’s illustrators from all over the world are working to turn children’s ideas into images! Parents can tweet children’s requests. Children are encouraged to draw as well. Brainchild of Ame Dyckman and Charlene Chua.
Printable Activity Sheets:
Jarrett Lerner: https://jarrettlerner.com/activities/
Videos:
Draw Everyday: https://www.youtube.com/studiojjk
Live at 2pm ET
Homeschooling and More Resources:
Free Classes and more: https://www.khanacademy.org/
More Resources: https://smartcoos.com/resources
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The Children’s Book Academy’s Writing Course!
I have said it before and I’ll say it again: I LOVE The Children’s Book Academy! I am currently taking The Craft & Business of Illustrating Children’s Books. I loved it so much that I made a video about what I liked about the class: https://youtu.be/TBcMlOHDsDk
If you want to jump over to read about the Writing course go here: https://www.childrensbookacademy.com/p/2020-the-craft-and-business-of-writing-childrens-picture-books
Registration for the CBA’s WRITING class is now open. The Craft & Business of Writing Children’s Picture Books is a fantastic class that will put you in a position to write your best stories. You could be just starting out or have several years under your belt and this class will be for you!
I personally have taken many illustration and writing courses when I was getting my BFA The classes that Mira Reisberg has everything that a college degree has and more. There is a clear path to take from generating an idea to a finished product. With The Craft & Business of Writing Picture Books every single thing learned can be applied to future work.
Personally I knew a lot before taking the illustration course. I had a BFA, taken an illustration grad class, was reading picture books for years and had been developing my style for years but things just weren’t clicking. I wasn’t able to shift into the right gear. Now with taking the illustration course twice I feel confident sending my work out into the world. I’m getting way more complements on my illustration work and able to follow through with creating submission ready work!
The Children’s Book Academy is worth it. I still owe thousands on my student loans and if I could have taken the children’s book academy classes alone I would have! I did not learn more in a classroom setting. And while you may like going to a classroom (nothing wrong with that) you wont get the comprehensive experience you will here!
At the end of the class there are editors, agents and publishers who will be looking at your work! You could literally end this class with a bang – er well you could end it with an agent or publishing contract. How cool is that? Not only are you trained for a job, but you have a chance of getting a position too
If you are thinking about this course I’d really encourage you to enroll now. Mira’s one on one critiques are unfortunately sold out which means the classes are filling up fast! Allison Remcheck still has a couple spots less so grab that while you can. Believe me, you’ll be kicking yourself for not getting a critique after you see the first week’s webinar. Join now, and you’ll be glad you did. Let Mira know I sent you! https://www.childrensbookacademy.com/p/2020-the-craft-and-business-of-writing-childrens-picture-books
