Roses are red Violets are blue original funny jokes and poems. Roses are red, Violets are blue sugar is sweet and so are you!
More is more (and more).
In 2010 Zadie Smith told the Guardian her ten rules of writing: When still a child, make sure you read a lot of books. Spend more time doing this than anything else. When an adult, try to read your…
8 incredible things to do in Scarborough, Ontario that'll surprise you and will rival anything else you see in the Greater Toronto (GTA).
We visited Auschwitz - Birkenau in 2013. It was the saddest place we have ever been. We went on a tour of Auschwitz Birkenau
Twenty years ago today, a Swedish alt-pop band called The Cardigans released a single very much unlike anything else they'd recorded, but which would change the course of the band's career. "Lovefool" -- the uber-earworm from the band's third studio album, First Band on the Moon -- swiftly became a hit in Europe but didn't debut internationally until Oct. 5, 1996.
Use these 7 notes for support and encouragement when you start decluttering.
Https://www.bargainbrute.com is the best place to shop online for Christmas this holiday season. At Bargainbrute.com we care about you and your family. As a valued customer we would like to offer y…
⚠️ -> SCPgender ; a gender related to the SCP foundation. It could be their protocols; one, multiple or all SCPs or anything else related to it. Coined by Us. -> Credit is not necessary, but very ap…
Here is a collection of 18 great lessons in style, attitude and lifestyle that we've learned from the amazing style icon Iris Apfel.
Before having my third (and FINAL!) child and finding that I no longer have time to brush my hair let alone do anything else, I used to run a 6 week evening course on how to write and illustrate children's books. Being a fan of reuse, recycle and re-hashing old material I thought I might blog the course so that anyone out there who might be interested in taking up this noble profession (which according to my husband amounts to little more than 'colouring in') can glean what they may from my musings. The first three weeks are how to write a picture book, the following three are how to illustrate one. Obviously this is, at best, a brief introduction to the discipline but I hope it might serve as a starting point for a few who may have the talent and inclination but be a little lost on where to begin. I was at that point 14 years ago when I started self-teaching myself by reading just about every article I could lay my hands on and quizzing any professional who didn't take out a restraining order. There will be homework! If you chose to do it, great, if you want to send it to me for my perusal please do and if I get the time to get back to you then we'll both be doing well. Picture Book Writing Course Part 1 What Makes A Good Picture Book It's Tough! True story; Dr Seuss was at a dinner party when he met a Brain surgeon, the brain surgeon said ‘oh, are you that guy who writes those little books for children? I’ve always thought that when I had a free afternoon one Saturday I’d love to write one. Dr Seuss replied, ‘ ‘Ahh yes, and I’ve always thought when I had a free afternoon one Saturday I’d love to do a little brain surgery’ I'm not suggesting that what I do is brain surgery (it's actually more like rocket science;) but there is a misapprehension that it’s easy to write for children and get published. I thought so! Until the harsh realities and rejection letters beat my optimistic spirit violently down. The truth is that writing picture books is a particular artform with it’s own rules and requirements - it’s a craft that takes a long time to master - (and clearly I am in no way near to mastering it yet). It is also an EXTREMELY competitive field. I spoke with a small publisher a few years back who told me they get 100 unsolicited (i.e. not through an agent) manuscripts a week - of which 2 a year might get published. It took me 2 years of hard slog to get illustration work and 8 years of writing picture book manuscripts before one was published - and this is quicker than many. So why do so many people think they can do it? 1) Every parent/grandparent/teacher/aunt with a grain of imagination has made up stories to adoring children and thinks they would be good enough to be published. Unfortunately kids love the attention of anyone making up stories for them whether the stories are any good or not. We all have the ability to make up a story, but this doesn't make us all writers. I can make beans on toast - doesn’t make me a chef! 2) People think their book will change the world! People often get into writing children’s books with projects they are truly passionate about - pets, family anecdotes or memories, or a moral they wish to impart and then take it terribly personally when they hit their first wall and refuse to compromise or take advice. 3) People think it’s easy because unlike a novel, it’s short! But just because there aren’t many words doesn’t mean there isn’t much story. Children's author Mem Fox once compared writing picture books to ‘writing War and Peace in Haiku’. A slight exaggeration, maybe, but one of the most difficult books I've ever written is Zoo Girl - and it's told in only 20 words! But trying to get the story right first, with emotional ups and downs, cliff-hangers, a strong beginning, middle and end, character depth etc. and then condense that down and tell as much as I could in the pictures rather than the words was an immense challenge. It's easier to ramble. As this blog entry is proving. 4) People think it pays well - true if you have a big hit like The Gruffalo but this is exTREMEly unlikely and many books go out of print after their first print run so the writer gets no royalties and may be paid an advance of just £1000 - £3000. Why do most people fail? The fact is that most would-be children’s writers have no idea what they’re doing. They simply haven’t taken the time to learn about writing for children. Let's face it, you wouldn't try to fly a fighter jet without first taking flying lessons. So why do so many people think they can write a children's book without first learning how? (I admit this is a terrible analogy - no one, so far as I know, has ever died a horrible plummeting death from trying to write a picture book without the proper training, but you get my point.) So what’s the secret? Simple - In order to get your picture book published, you MUST find out what publishers are after and then give them EXACTLY what they want. And, the good news is, children's book publishers are desperate for good children's books, because, as I’ve said, most of what they receive is rubbish! Children’s books like anything else are a business (a really fun one, but a business none the less) and as such we need to be creating products which will be appealing to the target audience - not just the children (although they should ALWAYS be at the forefront of our thinking) but the publishers, editors, booksellers that all come before a child even sees it. Hopefully in this course you'll get a strong idea of what publishers want, and how to create it and present it to them. It's also worth saying at this point that if you can overcome the odds, do the research and break into the business - it's one of the most rewarding, enjoyable and fun jobs around! This first session is What Makes a Good Picture Book? - If you don’t know this, how are you going to create your own one? The only way to do this is to research - know your market, love your market, visit libraries and children's departments in book shops, start collecting picture books that catch your eye (charity shops are a great source). If you don’t love children’s books, if you think they're beneath you, if you're scared of being stared at as you spend hours in the children's section of the library, leave now, this profession is not for you. Different kinds of picture books: I regularly get emails from people who have written 'a children's book' and when I ask what kind of children's book and what age it's aimed at they're a bit stumped, or the material in no way goes along with the age they tell me it's aimed at so you need to learn the difference between... mass-market activity books, board and novelty books, Early Readers, picture books, YA novels etc. etc. You'll get to know these by visiting those libraries and bookshops again and seeing what's in each section, holding them, looking at the blurb on the back, etc. In this course it's high-end trade Picture Books we're interested in - these are generally - 32pages, 12-14 full colour spreads, with full-colour, quality illustrations, and original tales told in less than 600 words. But within picture books there are of course different genres, for example; Humourous (eg. Dave, The Monkey With the Bright Blue Bottom, Olivia, Naked Trevor) Action adventure (eg. Gruffalo, Where the wild things are, ) Snuggly bed-time story (eg. Guess How Much I Love you, I love you Daddy, Cub's First Winter) and lots more besides, and many books of course span the whole lot. But it's worth thinking about what kind of book you want to write and which market you'd be aiming at. Characters Your picture book will need a main character and generally these are; Children - the same age or a little older than the target audince (which for a picture book is usually between 3-6 but can be much wider) Animals - usually young animals or an older animal with a child-like outlook Creatures - monsters, fairies, robots etc. Adults - very rarely the main character (Percy the Park keeper is an exception but he looks quite chubby and child-like! There are other notable exceptions but i think best to avoid as your main character) ok to include parents, teachers, doctors etc. - Adults children have come across in their own lives. Inanimate Objects - Again, there are notable exceptions but generally I would avoid writing your picture book about Simon the Stapler or Billy Banana. It's old-fashioned, it's dull, it's of little interest to publishers. The important thing is your picture book needs at least one character the child reader can identify with - so whether it's a robot monkey or bespectacled duck make sure they make choices and deal with emotions like a 5 year old child would. So what makes a book work well? THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS TO EVERY RULE HERE by generally a great picture book must be; Original - publishers are looking for a new hook or concept Well written - we'll go into more detail about this next week but each word must be perfect. Beginning, middle and end - Straight in, exciting progression, pleasing ending Fit nicely into 12/13 spreads with action on each spread Attractive and entertaining to children and adults Children/main character solving their own problems, not adults stepping in to 'save the day' A Simple idea told clearly Engaging characters GREAT ending We will be looking at this list and going through it in more detail next week but for now; Homework! 1. Look at a selection of (fairly recent) picture books and as you read them and study the illustrations ask the following questions; What kind of book is it (funny, adventure etc.) What’s the basic plot? What is the atmosphere of the book and how is that conveyed? Why and how do the images and text work together? Is the book appropriate for its audience? Why? Is there a character the child can relate to? What is the child meant to gain from the book, if anything? Is there an underlying message or moral to the book? How does the narrative work - is there a definite beginning, middle and end? 2. Come up with 3 vague picture book ideas - include a main character and a rough plot line. Next week - How to Write a Picture Book
Books > Anything else
Worth Beyond Rubies is for women of faith to study the Bible, learn about the Jewishness of Jesus, and deepen their walk with the Lord through prayer and study
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Expand and evolve your style with your astrology chart. In this experience, you'll receive 5 curated pieces of clothing that reflect your cosmic essence. This is a fun, intriguing, and whimsical way to uplift your life and lean into your true self through your wardrobe. It's not just about how you look, but how you feel in your own being! My goal as your cosmic thrifter is to support you in discovering your most authentic self and expressing your inner world through the way you dress. The 5 pieces can include tops, dresses, bottoms such as pants or skirts, jackets, or anything else that shows up as I thrift for you. There is an opportunity for you to specify a certain type of garment if you choose to. How it works: Step 1: after purchasing, you'll receive a form to complete with questions about your birth info, preferences, vision/goals, practical things like sizing and anything else you wish to share. You can also send Pinterest boards or inspo. Step 2: I will look at your responses as well as your chart to channel a vibe/aesthetic for you. Step 3: If all looks good and a look is finalized, I will start seeking the pieces for you! They will be a surprise and all of them will be shipped via USPS Priority Mail to you no later than 28 days (a moon cycle) after your form is submitted. Step 4: You'll receive your goodies and hopefully love them and order more! Some important notes before ordering: 1. There is an element of trust that goes into mystery gifts - so please only order if you trust my sense of style and like what I thrift (see my Instagram and Pinterest for more of my style) and are open minded about the process! 2. All sales are final. I only thrift items in excellent condition, so quality won't ever be an issue, however if you don't like something I cannot return them or offer refunds for any reason. Items will be sent as is (I will not launder them). 3. I do have cats, so items will be shipped from a black kitty friendly home. 4. I am currently only offering this service to customers within the US. Shipping will be USPS Priority Mail. If you have questions throughout the process, I'll be here to answer. Enjoy the mystery and can't wait to thrift for U!
Some things change you forever. But neither first love, nor graduation, nor anything else affects you as much as bringing up a child.
Money got you bummed out? Can't think about anything else? Financial therapy may be exactly what you need. Learn what it is and how it works.
According to these sexist ads from the '50s and '60s, all women wanted were vacuums.
Despite several years of language learning under my belt, there’s still one thing that I struggle with more than anything else. Consistency. Don’t get me wrong – I love learning languages which is why I keep doing it over and over and over. Sometimes, life just gets in the way. Today, sitting down and studying…
When I observe teachers, I see this problem more than anything else. If they fixed it, they would notice an instant difference in how well their classes go.
via Instagram ift.tt/22cDJMy
Toddler television will ruin you.
Come on and zoom.
If you ever want to feel like you have stepped right into a fairytale, you should visit Waitomo Glowworm caves, a world renowned attraction unlike anything else.
Recorded in Nashville, TN with longtime associate Roger Moutenot, I Can Hear the Heart... is the most stylistically diverse album of the band's career, showcasing their continued fascination with sampled sounds and dense atmosphere. While Several of the album's songs like quot;Sugarcubequot; or quot;Shadowsquot; will seem familiar to fans, others like quot;Autumn Sweaterquot; are light years away from anything else in the rock underground.
It’s frustrating when you don’t lose weight even after trying so hard. If working out, controlling your carb cravings, and making changes to your lifestyle is not enough to lose weight, then what is?
