NaPiBoWriWee Day One: Fri. 5/1/09 - 9:36 AM (PST)
Right now I'm at work, teaching until 3 p.m. Have some free periods so taking advantage of this time to write. But I keep thinking about all my fellow PiBo's and hope y'all are doing well!
(Picture above: My travel bear Bartlett who is helping me write Picture Book No. 1 today...)
So far, several of you have finished Picture Book #1! YAY!!!! Congratulations! Wow, if you continue your rate, you might finish MORE than 7 books in 7 days!
As for those of you still writing and brainstorming, don't be discouraged. Think of yourself as the Tortoise from the Tortoise and the Hare fable... slow and steady wins the race... hang in there!
A quick technical update: Some of you have emailed me saying you can't figure out how to log in or that you have logged in but can't find your comment etc. Check out the HELP page for FAQs on technical support. Another tip: REFRESH THE PAGE! Find the little "refresh" button your internet browser and click it. That probably should solve the problem. If not, please email me and I'll have our tech department look into it.
So two fun quick tips before I head into my picture book writing batcave...
1. NUTRITIONAL TIP: Try drinking Yerba Mate tea instead of coffee if you're feeling tired and uninspired! I love coffee but I hate the caffeine crash and jitters that follow. Several years ago, when I was on tour with the band Arthur Lee of Love (1960s rock psychedelic icon and pre-cursor to Jimi Hendrix), my roommate was a cellist whose family was from Argentina. She drank this very bitter tasting loose tea called "yerba mate" in a gourd with a metal straw (known as a "bombilla"). At first, I thought this stuff tasted awful. But you can always add a little sugar or milk to it. I'm now used to the taste and drink it all the time. It's much better than coffee and has very healthy benefits, including antioxidants. According to an article in The Los Angeles Times, "Lab tests have suggested a host of benefits from yerba mate. In test tubes, the herb and its components reduce oxidative stress on heart and liver cells, protect DNA from damage in yeast cells and kill human liver cancer cells. In lab rats, the tea improves the flow of blood through blood vessels and reduces fat accumulation." My friend said yerba mate helped increase her intelligence - the tea makes you alert but without the caffeine jittery-ness of coffee.
So if you're tired or feeling drowsy, go to a tea store and buy some yerba mate and try it out! You'll get used to the bitter taste... trust me, the health benefits are amazing and it really has helped me write better in the morning (because I am NOT a morning person)!!!
For more info, go here:
I'm at school, teaching, but later tonight when I post another blog, I'll find some silly pictures of me drinking yerba mate! LOL! 
2. RHYMING: For those of you working on poetry picture books (I'm attempting one today), I know you probably all have rhyming dictionaries. But guess what? Those of you with iPhones will be delighted to know that there are several rhyming dictionaries available as iPhone apps. The one I use is called RHYMER. It's really great! You can find it here or go to your App store on your iPhone:
Or you can go here: iTunes Store Link
(Yup, that is me using my iPhone Rhymer! LOL!)
Okay, I have a free period to write, so I'm off the Picture Book Writing Batcave! See you guys tonight!
xo
Paula
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It took me all day to even come up with my first new idea, but I did it. My first PB is written and I'm off to bed.
I started writing way too late (Japan time) after 6 hours of revision work on a novel, so I was actually nodding off at the computer. Still, I managed to complete a PB draft of just over 700 words. Will have to start earlier on day 2!
Holly Thompson
www.hatbooks.com
Hi! I'll be posting another blog later with more details, but there STILL seems to be some confusion over this... to clarify...
You do NOT need to submit anything to me. Period. If you have emailed me or registered and commented on my website, you are automatically included in the contest giveaway drawing! There is NO NEED TO SUBMIT ANYTHING TO ME! You do not need to prove you wrote something on Day 1 or Day 7. We are all working on the Honor Code!
PS. OMG! Did those of you in Los Angeles just feel that earthquake???!! It was a tiny shake for me, but some other friends reported it was a little bit more! Yikes!
EDITED TO ADD: Just googled... it was a 4.4 earthquake! Curious re: Angelenos, did you feel it? Happened around 6:15 ish PM...
xo
Paula
Hi Paula,
I'm in HB, OC and didn't feel it.
Jenni Bielicki
www.beehistoric.blogspot.com
Okay, so I finished draft #1 and have learned something very important about myself. I suck at writing drafts!!! I have this tendency to go back and revise as I write, which normally isn't a problem -- but then again, I'm not normally trying to finish a complete PB in one day. So, I'm finding myself having this inner dialogue:
"Just get it out on paper!"
"But that rhyme isn't working."
"Just get it out on paper!"
"But the meter is off."
"Just get it out on paper!"
"But I know there's a better word."
"Just get it out on paper!"
"Shut up, you task master!"
"You shut up, you perfectionist!"
"I wouldn't have to be a perfectionist if someone wasn't such a slacker!"
"I may be a slacker, but at least I know how to write a draft."
"I would, too, if you'd be quiet and let me think."
"Just get it out on paper."
And so it goes. (Can you tell I'm a little punchy after day one? Can't wait to see me six days from now!)
Roni
Oh my!!!! I need to print out your quotes on 150 size font and post over my desk!
Jenni Bielicki
www.beehistoric.blogspot.com
LOL. Roni, that internal editor can be a real "beach" if you know what I mean. Mine tends to say things like,
Aren't you telling rather than showing?
Is that the best verb you can come with there?
Isn't that a cliche?
This is too cute / corny / confusing / complicated / convoluted / creepy / crude.
(sigh)
Scotti Cohn
www.scotticohn.com
Hoping to finish it by midnight!
Janet A.
Wow, I just got home and am going through everyone's comments. Quite a lot of you especially on the East Coast have gotten one picture book done already! Congratulations! As for those of you still brainstorming or feeling stuck - don't worry! As long as you are writing, creating, brainstorming away, that is also productive and positive! I myself am behind schedule because of my own work schedule and having to maintain/monitor this website! So for the "slowpokes" today... I'm a slowpoke too! Slowpokes Unite! Slow and Steady Wins The Race!
Stay tuned for a fun food blog shortly... xo Paula
Almost done with first story. Thinking hard for next one.
Sudipta's information is really helpful. I wrote the story in my head while walking the neighbor's dog. Then I went shopping and carried on dreaming through the supermarket. I think I got the right things... And then, at last, I got to log onto the computer.
So now, Tom's Dog has the right number of pages and space at the front for the title etc., just like Sudipta said it should. And I'm really really glad you encouraged me to do this! Thanks Paula.
www.stores.lulu.com/sdeeth, www.sheiladeeth.blogspot.com, www.smd.gather.com
Thanks for the motivation. This is great. I can't believe I wrote a first draft today. It feels great and I'm looking forward to tomorrow.
I'm new to your blog, and have decided to participate in the challenge. I have a start on PB #1, hope to finish before midnight so it counts for today! Thanks for the idea. It's always nice to have a little jump start in production.
Lori Van Hoesen
Well yahoo! my design client never called so I had time to knock off PB #1 without the guilt. And this was a story idea I've had for five years so it was about time.
Laya
Okay, I admit I'm jealous of the others who have already finished their 1st PB! I have a good start but took a break to read Paula's Pep Talk when I noticed posts saying that some have already completed their 1st PB. What a downer!
Sighing, groaning, and hanging my head in shame...
I'm headed back to work! Maybe I can finish by tonight!
Genetta, NO hanging your head in shame! I'm right there with you and so are LOTS (if not most) of us. (o; Mine needs some major fine tuning! Sleeping on it may help. Get a fresh start tomorrow and finish if you can. I think this is supposed to be fun stress. Huh??? Try not to be too hard on yourself. OK? (o; Eat something you love. Look what Paula started with that food post!
Sheryl
Hey Genetta!!!! Don't give up! Remember, slow and steady wins the race. I myself may not get Pic Book 1 done today because I had to a) teach and b) deal with a ton of emails and technical questions for the website today, so I'm a little behind myself... see? So you are in good company.
You have 6 1/2 days left... you can do it! :) cheers, Paula
I can't believe it. I got one done today. May have cheated a little because I wrote some outline notes and a rough first stanza back in January. But still... very pleased.
www.coreyschwartz.blogspot.com
Speaking of coffee... I had to jimmy the lid off my 'pop-top' coffee canister this morning in order to make espresso. Are the Picture Book Gods trying to bring out my creativity? Or smite me? Guess I'll find out soon enough;)
The photo looks like poor Bartlett is carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. (:
If anyone feels erratic gusts of wind today, don't worry. It's just me trying to conjure up a massive brainstorm in preparation for cranking out my 7.
Are the math verification questions making any other writers cringe?
http://www.bookbookerbookest.blogspot.com
http://www.twitter.com/CandaceRyan
Hi Candace! LOL! Ah, Bartlett is such the supportive bear! :) And yes, the math verifications are funny, but necessary to keep the Evil Spam Robots away from our happy little PiBo world! :) It was windy today and I opened my windows to be inspired by your brainstorm!
ELR
I'm underway. One picture book, lots of thinking, more tomorrow.
Okay, just posted a silly blog at 9:40 a.m. PST. Time to write before my next class starts! Stay tuned for another surprise Guest Author interview tonight and more blogs to be posted later today/tonight! Congrats to everyone so far for writing on Day 1!!!!! xo Paula