Tag: writing helps

Book Review and Author Interviews, Writing tips

Mentor Text– Unique Structure–EL CHUPACABRAS by Adam Rubin

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Analyzing Picture Books for Layers

I go to the library regularly and check out mentor texts.  A mentor text is a recently published picture book that I analyze.  I try to learn from the techniques that the author used, and apply my knowledge to my own writing.

My latest treasure is a book called EL CHUPACABRAS by Adam Rubin and illustrated by Crash McCreery.  The book grabbed my attention because of the Spanish–I am a Spanish teacher, so of course I had to take a look at this book!  The Chupacabra is a terrifying creature of Puerto Rico legends, and the word Chupacabra literally means “goat sucker.”

One strength of the story is in the CHARACTER.  Instead of a terrifying monster, Rubin describes the Chupacabras a tiny gentleman who wore a bow tie and drank chocolate and ate churros. In the end of the story, he is the one to save the day.  This is a huge flip to the usual terrifying chupacabras.  I feel that this teaches children that they should get to know someone for who he is, not judge him based on a “rumor.”

The standout strength of the book in my opinion is the unique STRUCTURE.
Rubin first writes a sentence half in English and half in Spanish, then flips and writes half in Spanish and half in English. I adore the flow and the blending of the two languages!

Sample:
“Hector liked goats, pero Carla prefería las bicicletas.
A Héctor le gustaban las cabras, but Carla preferred bicicletas.”

I can definitely see myself using this in the classroom, especially as an example for preterite vs. imperfect, and of course introducing one of the famous legendary creatures of the Spanish speaking world.

Fun book!

Buy CHUPACABRAS on Amazon

More on layers:

Julie Hedlund Facebook

Here is the list of layers that Julie Hedlund described in a tutorial video that I watched back in the fall. It has been very helpful to me as I think about the elements that I want each of my manuscripts to contain:

1.  Plot
2. Character
3. Heart
4. Rule of Three
5. Pacing
6. Illustrations
7. Voice
8. Structure
9. Language
10. Theme

Book Review and Author Interviews

Author interview with Katy Farber about new book release SALAMANDER SKY

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I recently became acquainted with a fabulous group of writers.  We all have one thing in common.  We are 2018 debut picture book authors.  We have a new website that promotes our books.  You can find all of us at:  Fireworks and Foliage Debut Picture Book Authors and Illustrators
One if the authors is Katy Farber. Her book, SALAMANDER SKY released this week. I’m thrilled for her accomplishment, and wanted to take a moment to interview her and get the inside scoop.  Her book looks fascinating!

Here is the link where you can order SALAMANDER SKY online:

Katy, thanks for stopping by!  I’m so glad you could join me today to talk about your new book, SALAMANDER SKY.  If you don’t mind, let’s get right to the questions!
It seems like you have a true passion for nature.  Have you always had this passion, or was there a life experience that caused it to exist and/or grow? 

I remember visiting my grandmother and wading up the stream behind her house. I loved the way the mud felt between my toes, and discovering growing tadpoles among the mossy rocks. But I also remember my parents calling me in from the creek, saying, that water is polluted! The pipe above stream is pumping in waste! I was outraged in my 8 year old body. I wrote a series if tiny books about that creek, a local river, and a giant teddy bear that was missing an eye. Turns out, the bear saves the creek and river from pollution. 

The tree behind my house was my world away from everything. I would take my pillow up into the giant tree and read, draw and daydream for hours. These memories fueled the kind of writing I do today. 

I can see how the wading experience would leave quite an impression on you as a young child. I love that you were a writer even from a young age. I’m also fascinated by the giant tree–that seems like something out of a book. Every child should have a tree like that! I know I would’ve loved one.
My next question is… what inspired the story Salamander Sky?

Salamander Sky was a poem I wrote when considering the brief, magical, and fleeting migration events on the dirt road in front  of my house. I had always loved searching for salamanders and frogs in the spring, and had been helping them cross safely for years. Then I had my daughters, and I knew I wanted to share this with them. We have gone out and helped the salamanders and frogs cross since they could stay up late enough to join me.  I thought about how I could inspire kids and families to head out into the rainy nights and experience the magic themselves, and I wrote this story. 

But really, the inspiration started long before that, when I found my first newt in a Pennsylvania creek and found it fascinating and beautiful.

That sounds like a really fun parent-child adventure! For those of us who have not ever experienced a salamander crossing, can you describe the experience more in-depth? What is the highlight of experiencing it? If you go out to try this, what should you bring? What should you wear?  

The highlight for me is when the light from your flashlight falls on a tiny, vulnerable creature, and you go to it, carefully pick up, visit for a moment, and release it safely. You see the tiny toes, the round eyes, the long tail. There is a deep connection, a feeling of purpose and warmth in knowing that you helped this creature survive. 

You should wear all your rain gear, rain books, a reflective vest, and a headlamp. If your children are very young, a bucket helps for placing the animals in gently for the crossing. You should wear a ball cap so water doesn’t drip into your eyes, and prepare to get wet! It is all part of the experience. You are also teaching your children to not be afraid of the night and dark. Of course, be on the constant lookout for cars and have a plan for moving to the side of the road immediately if one is coming, no matter what.

I think I found the next thing to put on my bucket list. Absolutely fantastic!  Thanks for sharing! My next question is in regards to those who read SALAMANDER SKY. What take-away do you hope your readers gain from your book? 

I hope that readers take away an awareness of the importance of salamanders to forest ecology and the biodiversity of our world, and how they can participate in citizen science to help vulnerable populations of different species. I hope readers fall in love with the salamanders like I have, and vow to protect nature in all the ways they can. I also hope we inspire more girls to become scientists and activists. 
I love your answer!  I hope they they gain those take-aways, too!  I am also curious, who is your illustrator?
I feel so lucky to have Meg Sodano’s incredibly beautiful and moving illustrations in this book. They extend and deepen the story, they inspire, they transport, and they so clearly teach about the spotted salamander species, and April and her mom’s experience and joy in helping them. 
Let’s get practical. I’m sure you have a few writing tips and techniques up your sleeve that could really help beginning writers. Would you mind sharing some advice?
Write with reckless abandon. Explore your world through words, write about what bothers you, how you think the world should be, whatever is in your mind. Silence your inner critic and anyone else who limits your ideas. Bring a journal with you everywhere– capture ideas and your thoughts before they move on. 

Those are some excellent words of wisdom. And, I just have to ask…do you have any other future works to promote? 

I have two other works in various phases right now, but I would love to share about my middle grade eco-adventure novel published in 2015 called The Order of the Trees (Green Writers Press).  Cedar was found as a baby under an old growth tree in the northern Vermont woods.  She’s as different from the other kids as she could be. Cedar finds her first friend, Phillip, and shares her forest home with him. When Cedar suddenly falls ill Phillip has to figure out why and fast– before he loses her forever.

I learned something new about you today. I didn’t know that you are also a middle grade author. That is so wonderful. A big congratulations on your 2015 eco-adventure novel, and now, with this debut picture book. SALAMANDER SKY looks very fascinating!  I wish you all the best.  Thank you so much for stopping by to chat with me today!


Katy Farber website


Katy Farber is a writer, researcher and educator from Vermont. She has loved and defended salamanders since standing in a Pennsylvania creek at the age of ten. Salamander Sky is her first picture book. Her other book for children is a middle grade novel called The Order of the Trees, which won Green Earth Honor book award in 2015. She also writes about education, the environment, parenting and sustainability for various websites and publications.



Author life

I joined a critique group

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I joined a writing critique group that meets twice a month. I have attended twice so far. I really enjoyed getting to know other authors, hearing about their writing journeys, and listening to what they are working on.

Last night I even shared something I have been working on since my trip to Prague.  The seed of the idea started then, but I have been tweaking and revising it off and on. I think it is almost ready.

It was such an encouragement to hear the feedback and ideas from the authors in the group. And helpful!

I can’t wait to attend again. I highly recommend critique groups!

Author life

Story Storm — How did I do?

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I loved participating in Story Storm.

It was very motivating to receive tips in my inbox each day from published authors and illustrators. They had some unique suggestions on where to get ideas for stories!

Here’s what happened to me this month:

I brainstormed 40 ideas.  (I was hoping for more, but it was great to have a push to get some new ideas cooking.)

I began developing two of the ideas because I am so excited about them.

I also joined a critique group through SCBWI and went to my first meeting.  It was fun! I look forward to receiving feedback about some of my writing pieces.

Finally, I even edited and worked on a few proposals for manuscripts that have been on the back burner for awhile.

Thanks STORY STORM, for helping me be productive and push forward with my writing!