Hi kids! I’m back again with another Thursday Thought! Has life ever felt puzzling to you? This video talks about a man named Ananias, and how he had the faith to obey God even when it felt puzzling.
And here is a fun activity to try!! PUZZLE RACES…I’d love to hear how it goes if you try it. What puzzle did you use? Who was the winner? How fast were they?
I’m back again with another Thursday Thought followed by a fun family activity/game! Our church uses Orange Curriculum and the theme this month is “Unstuck!” Hope this video content blesses you!
I would love to hear from you–especially if you try the game!
I teach Children’s Church on a weekly basis at Hamilton Hills Church in Fishers, Indiana. During the COVID19 outbreak, we have not been able to meet. So…our leaders began creating fun video content for families. I thought I would share the content I created here on my blog. I hope it blesses you!
I am a guest blogger with Christian Children’s Authors. Check out my review of this T.V. series. I watched and re-watched these episodes during the COVID19 Pandemic and LOVED THEM! I can’t wait for season 2. You can get the free app and watch them on your phone, or right now on You Tube you can also watch them. I highly recommend.
You can find out more about The Chosen TV series here
I’m so excited to introduce my special guest to you today. It is Bonnie Clark, debut picture book author of TASTE YOUR WORDS which is being released on April 7 by WorthyKids. It is illustrated by Todd Bright.
Thanks for joining me, Bonnie! First off, I LOVE the title and idea for your book. It seems so relevant for not only children, but all of us as we think about our speech. I have to ask you, where did the idea for this book originate?
The idea for TASTE YOUR WORDS originated with myself and my children when they were younger and learning to communicate with each other. (LOTS of sibling squabbles!) Inspired by Proverbs 16:24, I would tell them to taste their words before they let them out of their mouth. The idea that we could taste our words was fun and I was surprised at how quickly they understood the concept.
That really does make the concept more understandable. I love it! I am also wondering what sparks your creativity as you contemplate new ideas for your picture books?
I think all writers are noticers first, and I get inspired almost everywhere I look. But most of my inspiration comes from my personal experience and interaction with my children. If I discover something that is helpful or interesting, the writer/mother in me wants to communicate it well (simply and entertaining) through a picture book.
We really do write from our own experience, don’t we? I am also curious about your writing process. How do you shape a new book into completion?
After I’m inspired, I write my thoughts in an outline or first draft that I hope no one ever reads! I meet monthly with my kidlit Critique Group and at this point I may run the idea by them to get their opinion on the project. After I get the idea out, I begin creating the story. I usually know how I want to end it- the problem I want the main character to solve, but the challenge is creating the arc and timing of events. Again, I will get feedback from my group about what is working and what is not and eventually the story starts to emerge. I personally like to paginate my manuscripts because page turns are important in picture books and help with the pacing. When I start to feel good about a manuscript, I will then start trimming. Word Count is another important piece of picture book writing and I like to keep mine around 500 or less. When I feel like its getting closer I’ll read it to my kids (my OTHER critics!) and then I’ll send it to my agent Adria Goetz for her review (with my fingers crossed). 🙂
Very interesting! It is definitely a process, isn’t it? I have also found a critique group to be very helpful. I love the cover for the book. Do you have a favorite illustration in the book? What is it and why is it your favorite?
Oh wow. That’s a really hard question and you will understand when you see these AMAZING illustrations by my step-brother Todd Bright. He is an incredibly talented and accomplished animator and he has indeed made this story come to life on the pages. BUT if I had to choose, I think my favorite spread is the “ah-ha” moment in Amera’s bedroom after she has struggled through her day and finally discovered how to turn it around. It is an incredibly sweet scene and the light pouring in the window is just gorgeous. I love her expression and the way she is sitting on the bed. And the picture on the wall behind her has a special meaning for me personally. You’ll have to wait until April 7th to see it!
I am really looking forward to “seeing” what you are describing! Now that you have a book published, do you have any inspiration or words of advice to share for other debut authors?
My biggest piece of advice for any aspiring author is to join SCBWI and get involved in a critique group that will give honest and kind feedback. For me, my group of Kidlit authors and illustrators have been an invaluable piece of my journey to publication. I couldn’t imagine making my way in this industry without their constructive criticism and timely advice. I joined the group to learn and as a bonus I’ve made some pretty incredible (and talented!) friends.
Do you have any other exciting news that you can share with us about upcoming books?
2020 will be a BIG year for me… TASTE YOR WORDS will launch on April 7th and my second picture book CATCHING THOUGHTS will launch August 11th. While TASTE YOUR WORDS is a book about speaking kind words, CATCHING THOUGHTS addresses mental health- a topic that I am passionate about and hope that kids who are struggling will find helpful.
Both are such important topics and issues. Sounds wonderful! I wish you all the best, Bonnie! Thank you again for answering my questions!
Thank you for having me Mindy! I hope your 2020 is full of yummy words and beautiful thoughts.
Pre-order TASTE YOUR WORDS on Amazon at this link.
Author Bio:
Bonnie Clark loves books that make her laugh, cry, or think for a long time. She enjoys writing for children because she believes that childhood is the most important time in a person’s life–the time that shapes who we become as adults. When she isn’t writing, Bonnie does yoga, reads books, raises three adorable kids, and drinks lots of coffee. Bonnie lives in Canton, Georgia, with her husband, their children, and two French bulldogs.
You can find out more about Bonnie Clark at her website.
Follow Bonnie on Intstagram, Facebook, and Twitter! See links from her website.
