Writing a Picture Book Is Fun

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Kelly McClymer — No Comments ↓

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Playing with Word and Pictures

Caleb the Sleepy (his due date was the 29th of April, so he was entitled to a few more lazy days).

Okay. The whole Boston thing has me bummed. I’m turning off the news and turning to something fun: writing Caleb’s book.

I’ve been struggling with the way to start. Going from a novel that allows you 250 words to a page (and lots of pages) to a baby book, where I must rely on pictures and very few words to carry the story is a challenge. But I’m enjoying it.

I took a lot of pictures when I visited his mom pre-Caleb’s arrival, and I’m playing with Photoshop to make them work in the story.

Yesterday, in the car, I came up with the first few lines (probably the first few pages, considering this is a baby book and pictures matter most):

Caleb came home with his mommy and daddy on a windy day in March.

Caleb slept a lot at first, because he was born early. Sleepy Caleb.

He has the same “Fascinating!” look in his eye that his mom had at his age.

One day, Caleb stopped sleeping and started looking around.

The first thing he saw was Maya. Hi Maya!

Okay, that’s it so far. Granddad says that the first thing Caleb should see is his parents. I, personally, think a dog is more interesting to an infant that his parents. But I have taken his comments under advisement.

Writing a picture book is a lot of work. There’s a famous quote from an author apologizing for not writing a shorter letter, but he was in a hurry. I feel a bit as if I’m writing the Twitter version of a novel. Except…pictures. Lots of pictures.

Sifting through the tons of pictures of this sweet little boy makes it all worthwhile. I can*not* wait to get out to visit him next month.

Maybe I should consider getting a suitcase big enough to sneak him back with me?

Hmmm.

No. He’d miss Maya for sure.

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Making an Audiobook: Interview with Audiobook Narrator Leah Frederick

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Kelly McClymer — 4 Comments ↓

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Please welcome Leah Frederick to the blog today. Leah is the narrator for my first released audiobook The Unintended Bride. [I know, I know, why am I doing them out of order -- it wasn't on purpose, it is just the way things happen.] Amazon and Audible have teamed up to let authors and narrators work together to make audiobooks through the ACX program. This means the author and narrator are the two people who do all of the work. I provided the manuscript, the narrator provided the audio talent and expertise. So far, I’ve listened to three of my books several times to ensure high quality audiobooks. Two more are in the pipeline, and two more will be finding narrators soon. This made me naturally curious to know how it worked from the narrator’s end. I asked Leah a few questions and got some very interesting answers.

Just Call Me Granny

Posted on March 24, 2013 by Kelly McClymer — 1 Comment ↓

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A New Granny Needs Title Help Fast!

Caleb Jeremiah arrived just after midnight. 4 lbs and 11 oz. Mom and Dad are happy, but exhausted.

The rest of us are still wrapping our minds around the fact that he’s here and we weren’t expecting him until April 29th. Good thing his parents have the nursery all stocked and ready.

I have decided I like the retro title Granny. We’ll see if Caleb agrees.

However, this puts the book I wanted to write for him on priority one (i.e., I have to do more than take photos and think random thoughts).

When I was out in California, I bought him some little finger puppets (okay, more for me than him for quite a few years), and small stuffed horsie. I took pictures and I’m going to use them as a springboard for characters in the book.

…and that’s as far as I’ve gotten.

To be fair, I thought I had at least two more months (reading to a 2-week old is not all that exciting).

There’s a poll on the sidebar about the title. I’m going with easy and simple. We’ll save the complicated stuff for when he’s ten.

Help! (and if you have a better idea for a title, feel free to leave it in a comment and I’ll add it to the poll).

Tagged with: baby books, grandchildren, granny, news, writing
Posted in Pardon My Gossip

Audiobooks — The New Frontier for Indie Authors?

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Kelly McClymer — 4 Comments ↓

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A good book makes an hour on the treadmill seem too short.

Is Listening Really Reading?

I have a confession to make: I have become an audiobook junkie.

Back in the day, when an audiobook cost $80 dollars and came with a tray of cassette tapes 20 strong, I had to be highly motivated to check one out of the library. Even when my family purchased the last Harry Potter on CD for a long car trip, it was not a lightly made purchase.

But then along came .mp3, digital media, and now I love listening to books when I’m in the car, out walking, or running on the track at the Y.

In the car, I listen to Book Radio on Satellite radio when I can (bits and pieces, but I love it anyway). On our summer trip across the country, my husband and I must have listened to ten books in various genres. Some good, some not so good. All better than most of the choices on FM radio.

I hadn’t considered turning my books into audiobooks, though. It seemed like too much work. Until Audible (an Amazon company) performed its magic and created ACX — a platform that allows authors and narrators to team up to produce and sell audiobooks.

Still, I hesitated. Were my books really good candidates for audiobooks? I dithered. Recently, I decided to stop listening to other authors talk about turning their books into audiobooks and dive into the audiobook world myself.

So far, I have one book produced and expected to be on sale in a few weeks (The Unintended Bride) and six more in various stages of production. I’ve learned a lot — especially that, yes, my books are good candidates for audiobooks.

I should know. I have to listen to each one twice. The first time I go through while reading the text, to catch any errors or omissions. The second time, to make sure any changes have made made, and no new errors crept in (producers are miracle workers, they can edit in one word change and make it sound seamless, I am more in awe of voice talent and producer editing than ever before).

I only wish I could do the same for my Salem Witch books (but I can’t, they’re controlled by Simon & Schuster).

Having conquered audiobook production (finding the right narrator, proofing, listening), I wonder what frontier is next for me. A game tie-in? An app? The sky’s the limit.

I feel lucky to have had the ACX opportunity, and I once again marvel at the powerful tools the digital evolution has put in my hands.

May I always wield them wisely.

And a question for readers everywhere — do you consider listening to audiobooks to be reading? What’s your favorite genre to listen to?

Tagged with: acx, audible, audiobooks, digital evolution, news, writing
Posted in Crazy or Genius?, My, How This Business Has Changed, My, How This Business Has Not Changed

A DIY Retreat With Style and Economy

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Kelly McClymer — 1 Comment ↓

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A nursery waiting for paint…and a baby.

When Is It Time for a Retreat?

The Northeastern winters get tough on me. I’m not fond of trudging through snow. I start to feel housebound. I have tried many things to keep myself in a healthy and creative mindset: going to the Y, curling up with a great book by the wood stove, trying delicious sounding soup and stew recipes.

But sometimes nothing works and I find myself sitting under a blanket wishing I were in Hawaii (I’ve never been, but in my mind, that’s the place where creativity reigns unfettered).

I begin to search online for writer’s retreats, or spas where I might spend two weeks having someone else make my meals, wandering around warm snow-free walking paths, joining a yoga class every morning…and, most of all, having hours of solitary focus on my writing. It always sounds like heaven…expensive heaven.

Running Away on the Cheap

This year, I knew I needed to find a way to get away. I trolled my usual suspects, but there was no way I could afford them. Then I got an email from Virgin America about a sale. I could nab an inexpensive ticket to San Francisco. My daughter, my sister, and my cousin live in San Francisco. Hmmm.

My daughter won (from my perspective) because she is expecting my grandson in a few months. Also because she and my son-in-law work all day long and they have a pool and a lemon tree in their back yard.

My sister is my retreat-within-a-retreat spot because she has a wonderful place with a fitness center (and an even bigger pool).

For the cost of a few groceries and chores (I helped paint my grandson-to-be’s nursery, which was inspiring to my creativity), I am away from the snow, able to walk new and interesting paths, and I have uninterrupted hours of the day to write.

Pretty perfect.

Rules for DIY Writer’s Retreats

Here are the four simple rules I stumbled on for making sure your DIY retreat is as good as the posh expensive version:

Be focused. Enlist support from your friendly retreat provider. Tell them you love hanging out, but you need/want solitude, too (although, I suppose, if you timed it right, you could housesit for a friend/relative and have no need to break creative stride…)
Be serious. Bring your work…but only the important work. Leave the rest for after the retreat.
Be committed. Do your work.
Be grateful. Your friend/relative is not a posh elegant (expensive) retreat. He/she is saving your creative spirit.

I’m always looking for retreats from the northeastern winters. Have you ever run away from home to save your creative bacon? Did you do it on the cheap? Did it work?

Tagged with: DIY writer retreat, news, rules for writer's retreats, running away from home
Posted in My, How This Business Has Changed, My, How This Business Has Not Changed

The New Shop and Let Die Cover: Is it too bloody, or just right?

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Kelly McClymer — 5 Comments ↓

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Here it is. I appreciate all the feedback from everyone.

It never fails to amaze me how differently we all react to covers.

I went with my heart (after a somewhat generous addition of blood to give it that mystery edge). It perfectly captures several elements of the book (Molly’s mystery shopping, and the serial killer who is targeting shoppers).

I really love it.

Tagged with: book cover art, mystery shopping, news, shop and let die
Posted in About a Book, Pardon My Gossip

My ‘The Authors Corner’ Interview Link!

Posted on February 10, 2013 by Kelly McClymer — 1 Comment ↓

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I was scheduled to talk to Elaine Raco Chase on her blogtalk radio program, The Authors Corner, on Thursday night, but Elaine had an emergency and had to cancel (everything is fine now). We rescheduled for Saturday and had a blast talking about mystery shopping — something it turns out we both have experience with. Although I think Elaine could have been a better candidate to turn into my mystery shopping sleuth Molly because Elaine had some real adventures in her shopping experiences. (You’ll have to listen to the show to hear what I mean.)

You can find the show to listen to here: The Authors Corner 2/10/13 and you’ll find me on at 9:30 — but why not listen to the whole show, because Elaine is very good at prying secrets out of authors.

Tagged with: blogtalk radio, elaine raco chase, mystery shopping, news, the authors corner
Posted in My, How This Business Has Changed, My, How This Business Has Not Changed

New Book, New Cover Decision

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Kelly McClymer — 6 Comments ↓

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Judge Not, Lest Your Cover Be Judged

I’m getting a little closer to turning Shop and Let Die into a real novel. I just made a revision to the first chapter that I think finally gets that chapter into shape (thanks to Lisa Cron’s Wired for Story). I’m hoping to get the full draft to my critique group next week.

This weekend, I was discussing the mockup cover designs my designer sent me. There will be some tweaks, but just to give you an idea of how things start, these are the three designs on the discussion block:

Next Big Thing Blog Hop: Shop and Let Die

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Kelly McClymer — No Comments ↓

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THE NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP

Welcome to the NEXT BIG THING Blog Hop.

What is a blog hop? Basically, it’s a way for readers to discover authors new to them. I hope you’ll find new-to-you authors whose works you enjoy. On this stop on the blog hop, you’ll find a bit of information on me and one of my books and links to five other authors you can explore!

My gratitude to fellow author Kimberly Llewellyn for inviting me to participate in this event. You can click the following links to learn more about Kimberly and her book.

Website: http://kimberlyllewellyn.blogspot.com/

Buy her books: http://www.amazon.com/Kimberly-Llewellyn/e/B001H6QYJC/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1357067872&sr=8-2

In this blog hop, my fellow authors and I, in our respective blogs, have answered ten questions about our book or work-in-progress (giving you a sneak peek). We’ve also included some behind-the-scenes information about how and why we write what we write–the characters, inspirations, plotting and other choices we make. I hope you enjoy it!

Please feel free to comment and share your thoughts and questions. Here is my Next Big Thing!

What is the working title of your book?
Shop and Let Die. Because my protagonist is a mystery shopping mom influenced by Harriet the Spy and James Bond movies, I’m planning all the series titles to be an homage to Bond, with a shopping twist.
Where did the idea come from for the book?

I’ve always been curious about mystery shoppers and how they do what they do. One day I decided to write a book about a stay-at-home mom who wants a flexible job so she can prioritize taking care of her family. Of course, I then needed to do my research. I spent about a year mystery shopping and learning everything I could from the on-line forums.
What genre does your book come under?

I originally started it as a mommy lit (when chicklit was in vogue). But it has now morphed into a mystery (more cozy than bloody, even though I do have a serial killer theme).
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Molly is well intentioned but a bit scattered, so I think a Cameron Diaz or Katherine Heigl type would be best. For her husband, I would like one of those serious type actors who always look like they feel guilty having fun. Maybe a Jude Law type (minus the lovely accent, sadly).
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
A mystery shopping mom gets more than she bargained for when her on-line dating shop ends up getting her attention from a serial killer targeting working moms — and the FBI wants her to help them figure out which of her on-line admirers is the Penobscot Poison Pen.
Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?
This one is all mine, from soup to nuts. I do have a fabulous critique group, a great copyeditor, and a fabulous cover designer, though.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
Years. Literally. I began this book in 2003, I think. I just finished it (completely revamped from mommy-lit to mystery) this year.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Hmmm. That’s hard. I don’t usually pay attention to what other authors are doing, I march to the beat of my own drummer (or, rather, the beat of my drumming characters). Maybe my readers should tell me that!
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
My own life as a young mother, trying to juggle work and family (not to mention writing).
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
I put a lot of my firsthand research about mystery shopping into the book. Anyone who ever thought she might make a good mystery shopper should probably read this to find out if she’s up to the challenge. It is not an easy job to adhere to the strict timelines, schedules, and report requirements. I learned to appreciate the finer arts of creating that smooth customer experience that so many businesses are striving for these days. I confess, it never got easier for me to mark less than a perfect score (I was always honest, but sometimes I winced at the necessary brutality of marking the debris left on the floor of an establishment where I could see the workers working their hearts out).

Tagged with: mystery shopping, next best thing blog hop, secret shopper mystery, shop and let die, writing
Posted in About a Book, Pardon My Gossip

Holiday Book Blitz: Lois Winston’s Accidental Holiday Feast Recipe for The Birds and Squirrels

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Kelly McClymer — 8 Comments ↓

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Please wecome Lois Winston to the Holiday Book Blitz today. I’m delighted to say that I have followed her career since before Talk Gertie to Me had an official title, and I know others like me are very glad to see Nori (and her imaginary alter ego Gertie) back again in a new adventure at at last! I’m not sure about her advice for feeding the sometimes demanding birds and squirrels in my back yard, though…I’d like to save the cookies for humans.

A Christmas Feast for the Squirrels and Birds

Before my husband and I became empty nesters, I always started my holiday baking Thanksgiving weekend. We kept a freezer in our detached garage, and I’d fill it with dozens of different varieties of Christmas cookies. One of my go-to storage containers was a large rectangular Tupperware piece meant to transport a sheet cake. I’d flip it over and fill the lid with cookies, using the base as the lid.

Now, any of you who have ever had the dubious experience of sitting through a Tupperware party know all about the famous Tupperware burp. Their lids have a special seal that keeps food airtight once you burp it. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe it’s also a way of making sure the lid is securely fastened on the container. However, not all Tupperware containers back then came with burping lids. Due to the design of the cake holder, there was no burp feature. Hence, no failsafe way to know the lid was on tight.

So there I was one day, having baked for hours. My cookies had cooled and were iced. I’d carefully layered them in the cake holder and several large cookie tins. Balancing everything in my arms, I stepped out the back door — and tripped!

Did I mention I’m a klutz?

As I tried to regain my balance and keep the stack of tins upright, one corner of the lid on the Tupperware container popped open. The next thing I knew, i was flat on my rear end with cookies scattered over me and around me. I’d managed to save the cookies in the tins, but I’d lost several dozen cookies from the Tupperware container.

Suddenly, the yard erupted with the chirping, cawing, and cackling of birds and squirrels. I’m not sure whether they were laughing at me or excited about their upcoming cookie feast. Maybe both.

Here’s one of those cookie recipes the neighborhood wildlife enjoyed that day:

Holiday Cherry Almond Chip Cookies

Makes approximately 6 dozen cookies

Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups brown sugar, lightly packed
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup dried cherries
1 cup slivered almonds
1 cup white chocolate chips

Cream butter and sugars. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add gradually to butter/sugar mixture. Fold in cherries, almonds, and chips. Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls onto parchment paper covered cookie sheets. Bake in a 350 degree oven 10-12 minutes. Cool slightly before removing from cookie sheets.

About Elementary, My Dear Gertie

In Elementary, My Dear Gertie, a novella sequel to the acclaimed novel, Talk Gertie To Me, Nori Stedworth and Mackenzie Randolph journey to Ten Commandments, Iowa for a Christmas they won’t soon forget. Nori’s parents want Mac to make an honest woman of their daughter, and that means nothing short of marriage. Mac is all for exchanging I do’s. He’s even bought the ring, but before he can pop the question, an explosion (literally!) hurls him and Nori right into the middle of a murder investigation. Gertie, Nori’s alter-ego imaginary friend, can’t help but lend her acerbic wit to the twists and turns as yet another scandal envelopes the not-so-pious residents of Ten Commandments.
Elementary, My Dear Gertie combines the chick lit/hen lit/romance vibe of Talk Gertie To Me with a mystery plot that I hope will appeal to all my readers, no matter their favorite genre. Buy on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iTunes.

About Lois Winston:

Award-winning author Lois Winston writes the critically acclaimed Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries series featuring magazine crafts editor and reluctant amateur sleuth Anastasia Pollack. Assault With a Deadly Glue Gun, the first book in the series, received starred reviews from both Publishers Weekly and Booklist. Kirkus Reviews dubbed it, “North Jersey’s more mature answer to Stephanie Plum.” Death By Killer Mop Doll was released this past January. Crewel Intentions, an Anastasia Pollack Mini-Mystery is now available as an ebook, and Revenge of the Crafty Corpse will be a January 2013 release.

Lois is also published in women’s fiction, romance, romantic suspense, and non-fiction under her own name and her Emma Carlyle pen name. In addition, she’s an award-winning crafts and needlework designer and an agent with the Ashley Grayson Literary Agency. She’s also the author of the recently released Top Ten Reasons Your Novel is Rejected. Visit Lois at http://www.loiswinston.com, visit Emma at http://www.emmacarlyle.com, and visit Anastasia at the Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers character blog, www.anastasiapollack.blogspot.com.

Tagged with: christmas feast, cookie recipe, elementary dear gertie, holiday, lois winston, talk gertie to me
Posted in Holiday Book Blitz