Having written a picture book, I’ve experienced what Mem Fox aptly observed: Writing a picture book is like writing War and Peace in haiku. While I still have other picture books in progress (I love PB’s that much), I’m always a sucker for a good challenge and I’m just about to embark on a new one: Writing a novel.

Feels like I’m stepping onto uncharted land. Sure, there are scores of novelists tapping away at their laptops, at any given moment. But as a PB writer/illustrator who rarely goes beyond 1k words, a novel feels airy and blown up, with lots of room for error. I relish the touch, smell and feel—indeed, the compactness—of picture books.

The truth is I’ve staved off novel-writing for more than two years. One particular story is responsible for a recent series of internal rumblings. It’s turning up on a regular basis, changing the landscape of my thinking and pushing me into the realm of middle grade prose.

In response, I’m doing “Fast Draft September,” a Verla Kay Blue Board writing challenge. It’s similar in spirit to NaNoWriMo, but without the strict guidelines and fancy online tools. We fast drafters are a loose contingency of children’s book writers who have committed to fast drafting our stories in one’s month time. We’ll type ourselves silly from September 1st through the 30th in an effort to reach our golden prize: our respective word count goals. May the Heavenly Writing Muses have mercy on us.

I will keep a sporty little writing book by my side the entire time. It’s called Spunk & Bite by Arhur Plotnik. Should I long for some “instant” coaching and inspiration, this book should do the trick. A satisfying jaunt into composition, style, grammar, expression and more, Spunk & Bite has quickly gained attention as the modern-day version (or rival) of Elements of Style. Yes, it’s that good.

Because I participated in NaNoWriMo in 2005 and had reached 35k words, I have a fairly good idea of how to proceed with the challenge. This time, however, I’m starting from a different angle. Instead of a fancy-free, spontaneous approach, I’m taking up the task of telling a story that begs to come out. There’s much to be unearthed. I expect nothing short of the unexpected.

Here’s a closing quote for all you ink slingers out there:

Perceived correctness can be comforting to the reader, like a tidy house. But what distinguishes a piece of writing is the ambiance—the environmental mood—that language can create. That’s why locution, locution, locution is so important to realtors of words.

— Arthur Plotnik, SPUNK & BITE

A mish mash of photos from my summer trip will come, I swear. Here’s one taken of my son and I (by my daughter, Kai) when we were in Montreal. I love how the leafy shapes fall on my face. I had just finished reading a super cool YA book, Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr, while on the trip. This pic reminds me of the book’s hyper-succulent faery world. Perhaps my mind was still there when this photo was snapped?

Meanwhile, Here’s a Meme

I was tagged by Italy-based writer, Natalie, with my very first meme! Here’s how it goes: Each player lists 8 facts/habits about themselves. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed. At the end of the post, the player then tags 8 people and posts their names (see below), then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

8 Facts/Habits About Me

1. As a kid, I “failed” at coloring books and paint-by-numbers sets. I much preferred coloring outside the lines and drawing in new stuff. As for following a paint-by-numbers color key? No way! I tried painting my own “masterpiece” on the back.

2. I drove my kindergarten teacher crazy due to my incessant daydreaming. Behold, a typical scenario…
She: Now, class…blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
Me: … … … Huh, what? You said somethin’??

3. My best ideas often come to me while in transit, whether I’m riding a bike, car or train. I always keep a sketch book and pen or pencil handy. Now, if I could only steer and write/sketch at the same time…

4. I won an art contest when I was eleven. All I did was draw a picture of an elf and mail it in. A little while later, I received a check for fifteen dollars and a scholarship to an art study program. I didn’t do the program, but I did cash my check.

5. Guess what I bought with the cash? Comic books! As a kid, I subsisted on a steady diet of Archies, Supergirl, Superboy, Richie Rich, Dot and others. I was also quite fond of Mad magazine.

6. My sixth grade teacher had a strict policy: NO farting in class. If you did, you were sent straight to the office. Mr. Bosworth sent certain kids to the office all the time. Oh, how they loved the attention! Whatever! My point: I have a gift (or is it curse?) for remembering an inordinate amount of info about my childhood–the people in my neighborhood, all the happenings, the good, the bad and the butt ugly. Such precious fodder for stories…

7. I lost my childhood collection of writings, artwork and journals. Fortunately, I haven’t missed them that much thanks to Meme No. 6.

8. I daydream on the job. It’s..like…a requirement for what I do. … … Um, someone say somethin’?

Fellow writers & artists I’m tagging (so far): Elizabeth, Karen, Paula, Sarah, Jenn, Laura

Before summer disappears into a wisp of Bay Area fog, here’s an update of July & August:

On July 20th, I went to a Harry Potter Book Release Party and Alameda Education Foundation (AEF) Fundraiser at Books Inc. on Park St. Throngs of muggles, HP fans, wizards and witches-in-training packed the store, spilling out onto the sidewalks where the party continued. It was fun, fun, fun. Better yet, the proceeds went to a great cause. I saw lots of familiar faces and fellow Alamedans, such as the fab jazz artist and songstress, Natasha Miller. The photo above shows Natasha and I displaying each other’s respective works carried at Books, Inc. Alameda.

In mid-August, I traveled to NY with Halau Na Lei Hulu I Ka Wekiu and performed at the Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors Summer Festival, the NY Smithsonian National Museum for the American Indian and the Huntington Arts Festival. Our Lincoln Center Kids’ Show was rained out but all the other venues were just peachy keen—or should I say “shiny as a brand new Apple?” At the risk of sounding cliché: I heart NY!

Immediately following the NY gigs, I went on a road trip with my family to Montreal and New England. I had my first true 10-day break in years. I was off the grid and loved every minute of it.

More details and photos to come.