Santa Claus

Yes. It’s July. And yes, if I’m going to blog about holidays it should be July 4th. So, why am I writing about Santa Claus?

Well, as my previous blog entry stated, I am on a research journey into the land of toys and games. And when one researches toys and games…..Santa Claus appears!

Many years ago, when I worked in a bookstore, I discovered the book, The Autobiography of Santa Claus by Jeff Guinn. The story, told in Santa’s point of view, is one of the best stories for gleaming the history of Christmas and gift giving. I was hooked!

A couple years later, I found How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas by Jeff Guinn. Again, this book combines history with story to create a wonderful tale about 1667 England when Christmas was almost lost thanks to the English Puritans.

Then, yesterday, I stumbled upon the third book in this series, The Great Santa Search by Jeff Guinn. The story starts with exploring the tradition of a Santa at every corner” and moves into a tale of what happens when a Reality TV show wants to find out “Who is the real Santa?” Again, like the other two books in the series, the story is loaded with fascinating historical tidbits about the history of Santa.

Toys and Games

Sometimes writing leads down unexpected paths. Travel with me as we explore toys and games.

Cranium is a fun games company located in Seattle, WA. They believe everyone shines with their own unique ways and talents. On their website, they offer a page with free fun ideas for families, kids, and adults. Check out their blog

East Aurora New York, home of Fisher Price, hosts an annual Toy Fest in August which celebrates the history of toy heritage in Western New York. And be sure to stop by the Toy Town Museum which hosts an exhibit of Fisher Price toys.

Harry Potter Owls Visit in my Backyard

Teen Summer Writing Class

Teen summer writing class! That’s right! This one is for you! And the good news……It’s on-line! So if you’re traveling, sleeping until noon, or writing in your PJ’s, it doesn’t matter….you can still be in a writing class!

What’s this all about?

Each week a lesson will be delivered to your e-mail. When you are finished with the lesson, send your writing to me and I’ll make comments and suggestions just for you !

Workshop topics include:

• Creating Believable Characters
• Crafting Strong Plots
  
• Writing great scenes
  
• Revision Strategies
• Publication for youth and teens which includes a host of websites and publishing options for young writers.

Some of your writing workshop assignments include:

• A one-page character sketch

• A 1000 word scene (3-4 pages)
  

• A draft of a 2000 word short story or first chapter to your novel. (5-6 pages)
  

Workshop Cost: $120

Length of Time: Six-weeks

Youth may start any time. The workshop is on-going.

Please e-mail me at mindy@mindyhardwick.com to find out more information and register for the class!

Online Animated and Talking Picture Books

Sno-Isle Libraries are offering animated, on-line picture books through TumbleBooks

As a children’s writer, it’s thrilling to see a collection of picture books at my fingertips. No more rushing off to the library for a quick trip in picture book inspiration. Instead, I can simply pull up the link and read to my heart’s content. And seeing the animated versions reminds me of the importance of structure in a picture book.

Establish the character and the character’s problem.

Begin to try and solve the problem.

The problem gets worse.

Continue to try and solve the problem.

The problem continues to get worse.

And then, in one final satisfying two-page spread, the character solves the problem and the story wraps up with a final last page/scene leaving a resonating image in the reader’s mind.

Mmm…it sounds so easy…why does it take so many revisions and drafts…..

Key: Simple is NOT easy.

Although there was no “submission guidelines” or “writer’s guidelines” available on the website, and it seems like the majority of the books are bought from current in-print books, I think the possibilities of having online, animated and talking picture books opens up a whole new world for children’s writers.