All of the clever, imaginative students that came to my writing workshop this past weekend proved you can find humor in most anything, from P.E. class to your little sister's head to your deepest, darkest fear (sorry, I am sworn to secrecy).
Everyone who came to the workshop went home with something, but it was Madelyn who won the original sketch done by Secrets of a Lab Rat illustrator, Jim Paillot. Yay, Madelyn!If you're a young writer looking to jump start your funny bone, here are a few tips I shared with the kids at my workshop:
Keep a journal. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. A small, spiral notebook will do. You don't have to write in it every day, and you don't have to write much; just a few lines now and then about your life. Keep it by your bed. Add cartoons and doodles, too, if you want. The idea is to get into the habit of writing and keeping track of your thoughts and experiences. The only rule is once you write something, no crossing it out. Just keep going. You'll thank me later.
Look and listen. Every day things are happening to you-things you may not think are worth writing about, but even the smallest inspiration can lead to a wonderful (and funny story). So pay attention to what people around you say and do.
Go to the dark places. Pain is funny. Our fears, embarrassing moments, and wild experiences are rich sources for writers. I never went to summer camp without something crazy happening - food poisoning, water contamination, an army of banana slugs sliming my sleeping bag while I slept. Hmmm, a new series, perhaps? What is tragedy one day is a laugh-out-loud story the next. Hope these tips spark you to start writing.
And keep an eye out for one of my young writers workshops. You never know what great surprises you might take home.
Keep reading, writing, and laughing,
Trudi
The Humor Writing Workshop for Kids that I'll be leading is just a little more than a week away, and I just got some amazing news. The incredibly talented (and generous) illustrator of my boys series, Jim Paillot, is creating a sketch from Secrets of a Lab Rat to give away to one lucky young writer at the workshop!
So if you are between the ages of 8 and 12, and you haven't signed up yet, what are you waiting for? Everyone gets a FREE Julep O'Toole book. We'll also have bookmarks, games, prizes, and oh, yeah, we'll do a little writing, too.
Here are the details:
Date: Saturday, November 7th, 2009
Time: 11 am to Noon
Place: Marysville Public Library
6120 Grove Street, Marysville, WA 98270
Call: 1-877-766-4753 to register
Space is limited so pre-registration is required
Hope to see you there!
Happy Reading,
Trudi
Are you a funny kid? Do wild fictional tales spurt forth from your brain when you are supposed to be doing your fractions? Or maybe you'd like to dish on your sister's most embarrassing moments. Now is your chance.
If you're between the age of 8 and 12, and live in the Puget Sound area, come and join me for a FREE humor writing workshop. It's part of Sno-Isle Libraries Children's Book Festival.
I'll spill all my secrets for writing hilarious stories that will have your teacher laughing out loud (and your sister cringing). There will be games and prizes, too. Every young writer who attends will get a FREE signed copy of Julep O'Toole: Confessions of a Middle Child.
Here are the details:
Date: Saturday, November 7th, 2009
Time: 11 am to Noon
Place: Marysville Public Library
6120 Grove Street, Marysville, WA 98270
Call: 1-877-766-4753 to register
Space is limited so pre-registration is required.
If you've ever wanted to write your own humor book or comic, join me in November!
Trudi
Ah, September!
Time to return to those hallowed halls of learning and attempt once again to gulp down the soggy fish sticks in the cafeteria (that have likely been lingering since last spring). When I was a girl, I remember that 'first day of school' smile on my mom's face as she dropped us off and raced from the parking lot in a cloud of smoke. With three children in her hair for ten weeks, who could blame her for being a bit giddy for some 'me time?'
I loved school. Most of the time. It was that first day that practically did me in. A million butterflies would invade my stomach soon after breakfast. I'd get so excited and flustered that I'd have to lie down or throw up or both. It was the "what-if-ing" that fueled these monstrous stomach aches.
"What if my teacher hates me? What if no one plays with me? What if the dumb zipper on this new coat gets stuck again and I get trapped and I faint and I die right in the middle of class?"
"Relax, everything will work out," my mother would soothe. "You'll see it won't be half as bad as what you're imagining."
She was right. My teacher usually liked me. I always found, at least, one good friend to play with. And I never had a coat-caused fainting catastrophe. What I had was one very over-active imagination, which would serve me well later in life.
I no longer go off to school each fall, but it's funny how the 'what-if-ing' lingers on. "What if no one likes my new book? What if no one comes to the signing? What if I'm not a good writer?"
Do you 'what-if,' too? Relax. Everything will work out. It won't be half as bad as you imagine. Sometimes, it can even be better than you ever dreamed. Keep at it!
By the way, I'll be at the South Center Barnes and Noble in Tukwila, WA on Saturday, Sept. 19th for an author panel and signing, at 6 p.m. Come join us for some fun with my new middle grade series, Secrets of a Lab Rat! It's now available on audio book. I'll be the nervous one in the children's section 'what-if-ing' and wringing my hands. The good news is I think my mom is coming (even better, I don't throw up anymore).
Also, if you like this blog, please become a follower and let the kids in your life know about it. My blog and website are meant for children and will always be safe places for them to visit on the web.
Read On,
Trudi
One of the things I love about summer is having the freedom to read, read, READ! As a child, it was fun to read books that focused on what others were doing over their summer breaks. Some characters were on their way to camp, like Sal Fisher at Girl Scout Camp by Lillian Gardner. Others were running their own business, as in While Mrs. Coverlet Was Away by Mary Nash. And still others were hanging out at home (like me) waiting for something exciting to happen, ala Charlotte's Web.
Even though I'm an adult now and must work (I have to keep my cat, Bernadette, in the lavish lifestyle to which she has become accustomed), I still love to open a book on summer nights when it is too warm or not dark enough to fall asleep. I tend to go for more light, frothy novels during the summer, although the book on my nightstand at the moment is one on screenwriting (don't ask me why - I just want to learn how it's done). What are your favorite summertime reads? Mysteries? Humor? Romance?
To help jump-start your summer reading, I'm giving away free signed bookmarks. Get a parent or guardian's permission first, and drop me a note through the contact page on my website with your name and mailing address (let me know if you want a Julep O'Toole bookmark or a Secrets of a Lab Rat bookmark). One per child, please!http://www.truditrueit.com/contact.html
Happy Summer Reading!
Trudi
An author panel is one of my favorite things to do. It's a great chance to gather with fellow authors and share stories, writing tips, and ideas with an audience. My recent author panel at Mockingbird Books in Seattle, WA with children's authors Joni Sensel, Suzanne Williams, and Suzanne Selfors was another stellar example of why I love doing them so much (see my big smile?).
One subject we discussed was cover art. A recent readers poll by Scholastic revealed that cover art was the number one reason why readers chose (or didn't choose) a particular book. So how much influence does an author have over the design of the cover? Everyone has a different experience but, for the most part, it seems most authors don't have too much of a say in selecting a cover design or illustrator. Sometimes, the results are wonderful. Other times, they are heart-breaking.
I have been very fortunate to have outstanding artists like Dan Yaccarino and Jim Paillot illustrate my books, so I have always been pleased with the results. I've also been blessed by understanding editors, who have made it a point to bring me into the loop. Usually, I get to see sketches and early drafts of covers and offer suggestions if I want to. I prefer, however, not to get TOO involved in the process. Part of the fun is seeing how an illustrator brings my characters to life. I want the artist to feel free to let his/her imagination go without worrying about my opinion. Usually, an artist goes above and beyond my expectations. More than once, I have been pleasantly surprised.
What are some of your favorite covers? What book(s) did you read because of the cover or in spite of it?
Speaking of covers, here is a sneak peek at the cover for the next book in my Secrets of a Lab Rat series: Mom, There's a Dinosaur in Beeson's Lake. It's by Jim Paillot, an artist that always brings those pleasant surprises I was telling you about. Look for the second book in the Secrets series to be released in the spring of 2010!
Special thanks to Sue at Mockingbird Books for hosting our author panel, and to my husband, Bill, photographer extraordinaire for the evening.Until the next author panel ...Read On,Trudi
We read, we talked, we played games - and it all went by so quickly. It was a great evening at the bookfair/launch of Secrets of a Lab Rat. We had a terrific turn-out of enthusiastic young readers and writers, which always makes for a spectacular event.
In addition to reading from the new release, No Girls Allowed (Dogs Okay), I also gave everyone a sneak peek at the new cover for SLR #2: Mom, There's a Dinosaur in Beeson's Lake, which is A-MAZ-ING! Illustrator Jim Paillot has really outdone himself this time. If you haven't yet seen it, stay tuned ...
Clearly, the highlight of the evening was B&N Community Relations Manager, Kari, who mixed up some "slime" to honor our intrepid fourth-grade inventor, Scab. Lots of "ooo's" and "aaah's" over the goo-factor on that one. Everyone went home with something: bookmarks, slime, bubbles, even Junior Mints (Scab's favorite secret ingredient). A big thanks to Kari and Christy at Barnes and Noble, and Valerie at Soundview School for making the evening a smashing success!
Don't forget, Scab makes his debut on CD in two weeks!
All of the clever, imaginative students that came to my writing workshop this past weekend proved you can find humor in most anything, from P.E. class to your little sister's head to your deepest, darkest fear (sorry, I am sworn to secrecy).
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