A New Year, A New Opportunity

One thing I appreciate about a new year is the opportunity to focus on what we want to do with our time and energy. Writers need meaningful goals.

Promoting my latest book, BUGS ON THE JOB, tops my list. Working with critique partners is another. Meeting readers is a must. Those are lofty, doable, and meaningful.

Then there’s writing, another must. I’m working on a manuscript with a so-so ending, not one I want to use. Last night or maybe early this morning I woke up, at least semi-awake, and the ending popped into my brain. Later in the day, I remembered the new ending. It works. That’s happened to me a few other times, but not often. I consider it a gift from my muse, or maybe my brain needed time to process the information. Either way, I’m thankful.

The world of writing is filled with many opportunities to make us thankful. A book contract is exciting, but little things we encounter on the up-this-hill-and-down journey sustain us. Kind words from a critique partner or editor, a fan who wants another book, hearing a phrase that’s inspiring, writing a page or more of a manuscript….

What is on your thankful list?

 

Here's a fun activity for writers of all ages:

Writing activity

New Bug on the Loose

You are a bug detective and have just discovered a bug no one has ever seen. Your job is to give it a name and describe it. Also, draw a picture to show the world your discovery.

Bug Name:

Describe the bug’s appearance.

Where does it live? (Example: in wood, underground, in trees)

What does it eat?

How does it hunt?

Draw a picture of the bug.

Here’s a peek at my latest picture book. BUGS ON THE JOB is a hive of activity. Fireflies are deLIGHTtful. Beetles break down rotting wood. They’re TREEmendous workers. Dung beetles are super scoopers. They save the earth from piling up with you-know-what. Bees are responsible for one out of every three foods people and animals eat. Honey, that's BEEutiful! 

BUGS ON THE JOB will be available in January and at that time, I’ll have a book signing at the Read Spotted Newt Bookstore in Hazard. The book signing date will be announced soon. If you are local and can’t attend the book signing, contact Mandi at readspottednewt@gmail.com and she will reserve a book for you. 

Those who are not local can preorder on the website www.thelittlefig.com on this page https://thelittlefig.com/.../bugs-on-the-job-coming-soon

The book will be available beginning January 1st at www.thelittlefig.com and will be available through the distributor APG Sales and Distribution in Nashville beginning February 1st. 

Holding a new book is the ultimate thrill for writers. We’ve poured our hearts, along with smidgens of sweat, and trickles of tears, into the work for months and years. From the time a picture book is accepted for publication, a two-year stint is in order to revise, tweak, and wait, and wait, and wait. The effort is worth it.

Sweat and tears morph into chills and thrills as writers meet fans of their literary “babies.” The publication date is approaching quickly, and I’m ready. 

Writing tips:

If you’re writing a picture book or a short story, keep the number of characters small. BUG ON THE JOB has two characters per page, and occasionally a third character, a flower, pops up.

Dialog breathes life into the characters. Allow your words to show a character's personality.

Add humor. Every reader loves it.

Add conflict. The flower gives power to conflict in this book.

 

Nancy Kelly Allen has written 51 children’s books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY. Check out her blog at www.nancykellyallen.com

 BUGS ON THE JOB, Nancy’s latest picture book will be available in January 2022.

Check out her blog at www.nancykellyallen.com