cararicture
writingtip-box
NaPiBoWriWee

May 7, 2011

NaPiBoWriWee Day Seven – NOT The End!

Filed under: Uncategorized — paulayoo @ 11:59 pm

National Picture Book Writing Week

Saturday May 7, 2011 – 11: 59 PM.

Wow. NaPiBoWriWee 2011 is over!

Did you meet the challenge? Did you write 7 picture books in 7 days? Do you now have seven rough drafts that you can revise lovingly for the rest of the year and shine until they sparkle like diamonds for prospective agents and editors?

If so, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

For those of you who managed to squeak out at least one picture book or even seven sentences – I’m still so proud of you! Writing every day no matter what is a skill that you have now mastered! Bravo!

As always, it has been an honor and privilege to host this crazy event every year. Who knew it would last three whole years? Here’s hoping to another three – or more – years of NaPiBoWriWee!

(Keep reading after the jump for important CONTEST information for those of you who signed up for the annual prize drawing and other info!)

(more…)

NaPiBoWriWee Day Seven: Good Morning Guest Author/Artist Dan Santat

Filed under: NaPiBoWriWee Day Seven 5/7/11,NaPiBoWriWee Guest Author,Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — paulayoo @ 9:00 am

National Picture Book Writing Week

Good morning! Can you believe it is DAY SEVEN? It is the last day of the 2011 National Picture Book Writing Week!

By now, you are all hardened veterans of NaPiBoWriWee. Congratulations on making it this far. :)

Today we have a special treat. Not one but TWO Guest Author blogs to inspire you as you write! To get your morning started right, let’s hang out with author/artist DAN SANTAT, author/artist of the upcoming graphic novel Sidekicks (coming out July 11, 2011 from Arthur A. Levine Books). Dan has graciously offered to autograph a copy of this book when it comes out in July for our prize drawing! (Please come back here at Noon (PST) for our guest author/artist blog with JANIE BYNUM.)

(Keep reading after the jump for our Q&A with Dan Santat…)

 

(more…)

May 6, 2011

NaPiBoWriWee 2011 Day Six – Bedtime Blog!

Filed under: NaPiBoWriWee Day Six 5/6/11,Uncategorized — Tags: , , — paulayoo @ 10:00 pm

(L-R) Charlotte & Beethoven snuggle while I stare blankly at my computer screen and sob softly to myself... NaPiBoWriWee?! What was I thinking? Am In crazy?!

My eyes hurt.

No, really, my eyes are KILLING me. I don’t think I’ve blinked in the past six days. Usually around now I kick myself and bang my head against the  wall, bemoaning, “Why did I create NaPiBoWriWee? Am I INSANE?”

Turns out, yup. I’m nuts. :) LOL! How is everyone doing? Did you survive Day 6?

For those of you keeping count, I have written FIVE picture books so far. I’m hoping I can get the last two done tomorrow because it’s Saturday and I don’t have to be at work! :) This has been the toughest NaPiBoWriWee for me because I have had to work full-time while running this event, so it’s been EXHAUSTING. Plus, I’m learning how to navigate around my brand new redesigned website that features TWO WordPress blogs (this NaPiBoWriWee one and my regular Paula Yoo blog at http://paulayoo.com/blog).

In addition, I usually prepare for NaPiBoWriWee. Before May 1st, I’ve usually figured out my 7 picture book ideas and done the necessary research and brainstorming of plots. Then I just write starting May 1st. But this time, I was writing all these books from scratch – from the idea to the research to the plot brainstorming to the actual writing.

So that’s why I chose to do 7 focused picture books aimed at younger readers and all about cats. LOL. :) I have embraced my inner Crazy Cat Lady! I found focusing like this really helped me. So let’s hope I can write 7 before midnight tomorrow!

Tonight’s Bedtime Blog is just a quick recap of what’s on schedule for the next 48 hours. Below is our schedule plus information on the May 8th prize giveaway random drawing!

(Keep reading after the jump for info on our final day plus the May 8th Contest Winners Announcement…)

(more…)

May 4, 2011

NaPiBoWriWee 2011 Day Four – Bedtime Blog!

Filed under: NaPiBoWriWee Day Four 5/4/11,Uncategorized — Tags: , , — paulayoo @ 10:00 pm

Oreo and his minions (aka L-R Charlotte & Beethoven) are already exhausted from NaPiBoWriWee Day 4!

Good evening, my lovely NaPiBoWriWee writers! Yes. Day Four is almost OVER. Relax. You are halfway there. Day Four is really tough because some people just give up. Others start to question their sanity. Some folks wonder if National Picture Book Writing Week where we attempt to write 7 books in 7 days is really such a good idea. And the rest of you now HATE me. You have printed out my picture and are throwing rotten tomatoes at it, crying out, “Why did you encourage me to write 7 picture books in 7 days? I’ve had two hours of sleep, the kids are crying, and I fell asleep at work today!”

LOL! :) Just kidding. I’m hoping everyone had a productive and FUN day with Book No. 4. And for those of you who are falling behind – DON’T DESPAIR! We are here to cheer you on! You can do it! Remember, it’s not about the end goal, it’s about the JOURNEY. :)

So tonight’s Bedtime Blog is on the short side because I know everyone’s exhausted. How can you make it through Days 5, 6, and 7? How about trying this? THE POMODORO TECHNIQUE.

(What’s the Pomodoro Technique? Keep reading after the jump to find out more…)

(more…)

May 2, 2011

NaPiBoWriWee 2011 Day Two – Bedtime Blog!

Filed under: NaPiBoWriWee Day Two 5/2/11,Uncategorized — Tags: , , — paulayoo @ 11:14 pm

Oreo can't see you, so you can't see him!

“I’ve learned that you can’t have everything and do everything at the same time.” (Oprah Winfrey, O Magazine, April 2003)

Good evening, my NaPiBoWriWee soldiers! I know everyone battled Sophomore Slump today. You all celebrated too soon with the first victory of Day One. And then on Day 2, you faced insurmountable obstacles, such as…

(Keep reading after the jump to find out what those insurmountable obstacles were…)

(more…)

badgefooter
Shining Star: The Anna May Wong Story
Good Enough
Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story
Books by Paula Yoo