Little Red Writing by Joan Holub and pictures by Melissa Sweet
I have returned from a simply marvelous weekend at the Florida Writers Association's annual conference where I learned about the craft of writing, along with the business of writing. I met so many wonderful people, all with a story in their heart. I have found my motivation to write again and am gladly embracing the FWA's philosophy of, "It doesn't get done unless you put your butt in the chair and write!".
Returning home I found a package on my desk amid the piles of mail waiting for me. It was from my sister, Martha. Inside was Little Red Writing along with a note that read,
Dear Linny, Thought this book would teach you everything you ever needed to know about writing. Love, Martha
Little Red is a charming red pencil who attends pencil school with a birthday pencil, several sports pencils and a state pencil. Her teacher, Mrs. 2, gives the class an assignment to write a story. She sends Little Red off with a basket of 15 words to use in case she runs into trouble and the advice to stick to her basic story path so not to get lost. Hmmm. Good advice!
Of course, Little Red ran into trouble. She used her words carefully and saved Principal Granny from the dreaded electric pencil sharpener. Principal Granny was now much shorter but grateful that Little Red had saved her. Little Red returned to class with a wonderfully crafted story to share.
Little Red would not have been so successful if not for the adorable pictures that shared in the telling of her story. Melissa Sweet, who drew them lives in Rockport, Maine. I spent my summer vacation in Rockport, Maine, a tiny, little, beautiful town on the coast. I loved the town so much I already have plans to return again next summer. So guess whose door I will be knocking on while I'm there? Melissa Sweet's! I'll be sure to call first but I can't wait for her inspiration and creativity to rub off on me.
I'm a firm believer that people and things come into my life for a reason. Little Red Writing broke the task of writing down into very simplistic terms at exactly the time I needed to hear it most. I don't write children's books but now I know I must visualize my scenes more specifically while I'm writing them. And I also learned my sister, Martha even though not a writer, wants me to succeed for the pure pleasure of entering a bookstore and purchasing a book written by her sister even though she's already read the autographed copy I sent her. So that book is in the works and I vow not to stop until it's finished. No excuses. With the help of all my new friends at the Florida Writers Association, Little Red and all her pencil friends, and my sister, Martha, I will get it done!
I have returned from a simply marvelous weekend at the Florida Writers Association's annual conference where I learned about the craft of writing, along with the business of writing. I met so many wonderful people, all with a story in their heart. I have found my motivation to write again and am gladly embracing the FWA's philosophy of, "It doesn't get done unless you put your butt in the chair and write!".
Returning home I found a package on my desk amid the piles of mail waiting for me. It was from my sister, Martha. Inside was Little Red Writing along with a note that read,
Dear Linny, Thought this book would teach you everything you ever needed to know about writing. Love, Martha
Little Red is a charming red pencil who attends pencil school with a birthday pencil, several sports pencils and a state pencil. Her teacher, Mrs. 2, gives the class an assignment to write a story. She sends Little Red off with a basket of 15 words to use in case she runs into trouble and the advice to stick to her basic story path so not to get lost. Hmmm. Good advice!
Of course, Little Red ran into trouble. She used her words carefully and saved Principal Granny from the dreaded electric pencil sharpener. Principal Granny was now much shorter but grateful that Little Red had saved her. Little Red returned to class with a wonderfully crafted story to share.
Little Red would not have been so successful if not for the adorable pictures that shared in the telling of her story. Melissa Sweet, who drew them lives in Rockport, Maine. I spent my summer vacation in Rockport, Maine, a tiny, little, beautiful town on the coast. I loved the town so much I already have plans to return again next summer. So guess whose door I will be knocking on while I'm there? Melissa Sweet's! I'll be sure to call first but I can't wait for her inspiration and creativity to rub off on me.
I'm a firm believer that people and things come into my life for a reason. Little Red Writing broke the task of writing down into very simplistic terms at exactly the time I needed to hear it most. I don't write children's books but now I know I must visualize my scenes more specifically while I'm writing them. And I also learned my sister, Martha even though not a writer, wants me to succeed for the pure pleasure of entering a bookstore and purchasing a book written by her sister even though she's already read the autographed copy I sent her. So that book is in the works and I vow not to stop until it's finished. No excuses. With the help of all my new friends at the Florida Writers Association, Little Red and all her pencil friends, and my sister, Martha, I will get it done!
No comments:
Post a Comment