Blog | Mindy Baker Books

I love this book! Why?

WORD CHOICE!!! WORD CHOICE!! WORD CHOICE!!

This is a wonderful book showing us how to choose JUST THE RIGHT WORD in JUST THE RIGHT PLACE. WITH JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF REPETITION.

Words I love:

Squash
Squeeze
fireside
grumble and grouse
my nose has a tickle
trod
titchy
implore
tapped out a jig
frolics and fiddle-de-dees
heavens alive
weeny for five

She is a master at rhyme–with just the right number of syllables.
Nothing is forced.
It’s just, plain, perfect!

Rhymes I love:

all by herself
jug on the shelf

grumble and grouse
room in my house

help me please
squash and a squeeze
no room to sneeze
goat’s got fleas
pig in the cupboard agrees
down on my knees

And then there’s the repetition. She knows when to repeat and why to repeat.
Let me repeat...I love this book!

P.S. There is a lesson embedded–to be content with what you have–but it is not preachy–very natural! So that is another take-away. In your manuscript, don’t tell your lesson, trust that your reader will “get it” through your story.

Book Review and Author Interviews, Writing tips

Mentor Text…What I learned from MOTHER BRUCE by Ryan T. Higgins

September 3, 2017February 17, 2019 admin

I really loved the book MOTHER BRUCE by Ryan T. Higgins. Higgins uses HUMOR, HUMOR, and MORE HUMOR…he’s got a perfect title…he uses wonderful illustrations…but I’m going to stop gushing and focus on…

Three. Major. Take-aways.

1. Let the pictures fill in the details…don’t tell it all with words.

2. Throw in a bit of humor for parents, too.

3. Add a punchline at the end.

Let me explain what I mean…

1. The pictures play a major role in telling the story. The text is stark…and the pictures fill in the details.

Examples:
a. “He tried to make the best of it” Pictures showing illustrations of the kiddie pool and the bear all dressed in fins, inner tube, and floaties. The author says nothing of “how” he tried to make the best of it, but the picture “shows” it.

b. The page where the text reads “It was hard work.” The illustrations complete the humor with a messy painting scene, an eating scene in high chairs, a napping scene, and my favorite image of Bruce with a four-gosling baby carrier strapped to his chest.

c. Finally, another favorite where the text is so simple, “So he got creative.” The picture shows him using a slingshot to send them off into the great beyond. Left me cracking up!

Now for the second takeaway…

2. He has some sophisticated jokes in there for parents, too. There is a part where he jokes that Bruce wanted to support local businesses, and then he asked Mrs. Goose if her eggs were free-range organic. Also, when he asks about her about her return policy, and even his way of calling the problem “being a victim of mistaken identity.” NICE STUFF!!

And last, but not least…

3. His punchline at the end of the story is a turtle who thinks one of the geese is his mom, bringing the story full circle. Clever!

So there you have it…great lessons from this wonderful mentor text! And I owe it all to the PBSummit for pointing out this wonderful picture book to me.

Author life, Writing tips

My take-aways from mini PB Summit on August 22

August 27, 2017February 17, 2019 admin

I recently watched a free PB Mini Summit online on August 22 with presenters Julie Hedlund, Jon Bard, Emma Walton Hamilton, and Katie Davis. Great content! After the evening presentation, I went to the library and checked out a few of the “mentor texts” they suggested. Had to put “MOTHER BRUCE” on hold, can’t wait for it to come in!

My take-aways

1. Think about pacing and how to create movement with words. Do I want to slow. certain. texts. down. to. a. standstill. Or do I want to create a more fast paced line that will zip along quickly and rapidly for the reader to read. And how do authors create a sing song quality… I’ve really been reflecting on the role of punctuation, repetition, and word choice.

2. I loved this quote by Kate Davis, “Cut soggy words and keep the crisp words.” As the one of the presenters said, “pictures are supposed to create 50% of the story.” So, if that is true, what should I cut out of my story to create space for the artist to work his/her magic?

**This got me thinking about how being an author/illustrator would be advantageous, because so much of the humor/sparkle comes in the pairing of the words and the art. (A little worried about this because I am not an artist.)

3. Use page turns to create suspense and reveal a surprise or punchline. I plan to go back through manuscripts to make sure that the page turn has a reason and/or a surprise waiting on the other side.

It was a really helpful mini-seminar, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to tune in!

Author life

I’m going to a Writers Conference!

August 27, 2017February 17, 2019 admin

Another author first for me! After a push from a few writing pals that I have, I am officially signed up to attend this conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan. How do I feel? NERVOUS! Especially since I am going to drive up there by myself. Thank goodness for Mapquest!

But I can’t wait to learn, learn, learn, and learn some more. The break out sessions look very helpful, and I will finally get to meet my new online friend Glenys Nellist. She is PRESENTING at the conference which is so amazing. I’m sure I will take a TON of notes! Congrats, Glenys Nellist! Your work is inspiring.

Author life, Mouse's Christmas Gift

Churches in Czech Republic…home of Mouse?

August 12, 2017February 17, 2019 admin

This summer my husband and I traveled to the Czech Republic. So many adventures and cultural experiences! For example, do you know what this is?

What about this?

Or, what if you are in the middle of a romantic dinner for two and the waitress brings you this. What would you do with it?

Give up? The next thing that happens is that she pours hot water on it and it expands into this:

Of course! A perfect towel for when you are finished peeling the prawns you ordered!!

We even rented a car and drove through the countryside to the little town of Malenovice. (Kudos to my friend Donna and my husband Doug for being willing to drive!)

Thanks to Mouse and my upcoming book, I think I’ve become a bit obsessed with little white churches! Check out these cool churches we visited along the way during our trip. I know Mouse would love to live in this beautiful church in Malenovice.