This post is part of Patty Wysong's
A to Z meme. This week's letter is "B."
So, if you read my first a to z post last week, you know my writing focus is currenty children's books.
Lately, my passion/interest have leaned toward picture books, and it seems that I have some sort of leaning toward...well...insects as protagonists.
Yup - my books are buggy!The two stories I'm currently working on are both about insects. The themes are different. The lessons are different. Even the settings are different (other than "outside" LOL). And the bugs are different. But still.
The one I've been working on the longest is a butterfly named Flitter. Some of you may be familiar with her. I first wrote about her several years ago, as a FaithWriters Writing Challenge entry. She's changed some from that original story, but she's still my Flitter, who I adore (along with her best friend, Maggie the monkey - though she's not a bug, of course :)).
My second picture-book-in-progress is one I started in a picture book writing practicum at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference in May, under the instruction of multi-published sweetheart Pam Zollman. The star of that story is Helen the honeybee (the original name was Buzzy the bee, but after a bit of research, I realized that my character needed to be a female). Obviously, I haven't know her as long,
but she's flown her way into my heart as well. She's tougher than Flitter, but still endearing.I didn't purposely choose an insect to write about for my second book - truly! I was looking at several pictures Pam gave us for inspiration, and a bee with a suitcase called my name. But somehow, it seems that, at least so far, bugs and I have a good relationship - at least in my stories!
I am not a huge fan of insects in real life (though I'm not deathly afraid of them or anything), but my muse is quite fond of them, it seems. Or something. I wonder what will be next. Cockroaches? Ants? Pillbugs?Ohh - just thought of an idea... ;)
Do you get onto "rolls" like this, or is it just me?
Scripture Stories: Timeless Truths
Graphics courtesy of free-clipart.net
(p.s. - If you're wondering about my usual goals/progress post around the first of the month, watch for it soon - hopefully tomorrow)
Read more "B" posts, or link to one of your own below!
Cute post! I've always thought that Adam should have named them "flutter-bys" instead of butterflies.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI don't think you can make an enduring creature out of a cockroach.He would have to be the bad guy!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are having fun writing these characters and I guess that's the way it should be! Would love to read your stories to my grandnieces!
Hehe Barb. That sounds like a challenge/dare to me! May have to give it a try (in my copious free time, of course LOL).
DeleteThanks for stopping by, my friend!
I bet you come up with thousands of adventures for these little critters. How fun! And I agree with Barbara, some of them are too icky to like.
ReplyDeleteAh, the apostrophe problem again :( J'nell
DeleteSeems to be a blogger thing - I know who you are! LOL
DeleteAnd thanks for stopping by.
Sounds like such fun, Joanne! As a mother of four boys (all grown for the most part) I am far too familiar with bugs. And I have a cousin who's an entomologist! He worked for the government identifying mischievous vermin in crops and identifying them for customs officials to identify. Fascinating part of the ecosystem those little critters!
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying my buggy stories (and I THINK I just renamed Helen LOL) - and your cousin's job sounds so interesting (though I don't think I want to change careers at the moment LOL).
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
How fun, Joanne. My grandsons have all gone through the fascination stage of Roly Poly's. I'm guessing they would LOVE your books!
ReplyDeletePretty sure my next one will be a roly poly (I called them pillbugs as a child). Thanks, Nancy!
DeleteI enjoyed your post. We just babysat my granddaughter and spent lots of time reading books.
ReplyDeleteI just love reading to kids. I still read to my 12-year-old at bedtime. Thanks for stopping by!
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