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Sneak Attack!
I’m working on adding lighting and more color to my work. It’s still a bit messy now but it’s getting there. I don’t have the text here, but it’s “Sneak Attack!” this image comes after the image in the last post https://www.daniduck.com/the-beginning-of-something-kitty/
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The Beginning of Something Kitty
I’ve been working on some new images for my portfolio. This is part of a 6 page comic. It’s the upper right hand corner of the 3rd page. I’m not sure which program I’m going to use to make the font for this. Right now it’s just hand drawn and not quite right. Looking into options now. Hopefully I’ll have more art to share soon. I’m off to work on some values for this art!
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Dough Nuts – Kidlit Collage Final
I think I’m done for this week! I think I got all the shading right. Let me know if you see anything I’ve missed!
Want to join me and Christy Ann (@christyillustrates on Instagram) in Kidlit Collage? There is no sign up! Just post your image on Instagram (and other social media) and tag #kidlitcollage. That way we can see your work! This month’s theme is donuts!
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Dough Nuts – Kidlit Collage Color
Flat coloring today and text isn’t so rushed. I think I’ll adjust the background color and the text a bit in the final. Oh maybe even make the mom squirrel’s mouth more like a mouth. Created in in Clip Studio paint. Let me know if you have questions about how I made this!
Want to join me and Christy Ann (@christyillustrates on Instagram) in Kidlit Collage? There is no sign up! Just post your image on Instagram (and other social media) and tag #kidlitcollage. That way we can see your work! This month’s theme is donuts!
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Dough Nuts – Kidlit Collage Inks
I’m still working on this image a bit, but this is my June Kidlit Collage! I’m going to fix up the inks for next week and create some flat colors. Will be aiming to get this done in 3 weeks instead of 4, because I missed last Monday. Fingers crossed I get it done!
Want to join me and Christy Ann (@christyillustrates on Instagram) in Kidlit Collage? There is no sign up! Just post your image on Instagram (and other social media) and tag #kidlitcollage. That way we can see your work! This month’s theme is donuts!
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Spring into Writing Winners!
Is anyone else sad that Spring into Writing is over? I’m sad! Also happy because I can move on to other things!
Have 3 minutes to fill out a survey about Spring into Writing? https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P2R5B9Q
Want to help out with Spring into Writing? Donate: https://www.patreon.com/SmartDummies
Or on Kofi: ko-fi.com/daniduck
Prizes:
Donated by Becky Aren’t “The Coloring Book for Writers” by
Linda Faulkerson.The winner is: DEBRA M DAUGHERTY!
Melissa Stoller donated 3 books and the winners are:
The Enchanted Snow Globe — BECKY AREN’T
The Magic Paintbrush — LAURI MEYERS
Ready, Set, Gorilla! — LAURA HARTMAN
Congratulations everyone!
How you can help out Spring into Writing:
If you’ve enjoyed this event please consider helping me out. The easiest ways is commenting on posts and filling out the survey I’m going to post next week.
I am looking for people to help me figure out some things for Spring into Writing and Smart Dummies. If you want to help please let me know!
Please Donate:
If you liked the Spring into Writing event please consider a donation. This website costs a good amount of money to keep going, and
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Spring into Writing Finish Line
Spring into Writing is unfortunately done for this year. Well the actual event is over, but that doesn’t mean we have to stop having fun with our writing. There are some things I didn’t find time to talk about for the event and I fully plan on talking about them throughout the year. I will be announcing winners soon so you still have a little time to go back and comment on the posts you’ve missed. I hope you’ve enjoyed Spring into Writing! Let me know below what you’ve achieved this month.
I will be taking down the booklet at the end of this month, so download it now here: https://www.daniduck.com/spring-into-writing/
How you can help out Spring into Writing:
If you’ve enjoyed this event please consider helping me out. The easiest ways is commenting on posts and filling out the survey I’m going to post next week.
I am looking for people to help me figure out some things for Spring into Writing and Smart Dummies. If you want to help please let me know!
Please Donate:
If you liked the Spring into Writing event please consider a donation. This website costs a good amount of money to keep going. It also takes a lot of time to make the booklets for these events. I want to keep the downloads free for everyone. If you are able please consider donating:
https://www.patreon.com/SmartDummies (There are levels where you can get booklets sent to you every year).
One time donations: https://ko-fi.com/A484NS9
Thank you all for being a part of
Spring into Writing 2019!
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Picture Book Inspiration Julie Hedlund — Plus a Prize!
Julie Hedlund is just fantastic. She not only creates picture books but she has some wonderful programs to help writers to create their picture books. I have met most of my current critique group members (for both writing and illustration) though her 12×12 event. The 12×12 is a year long challenge that helps picture book creators to write 12 manuscripts in 12 months. On top of this she has helped create the Picture Book Submission System (which I have and it’s wonderful) and the Picture Book Summit!
Julie Hedlund’s 12×12: http://12x12challenge.com/
Dani Duck: What’s one thing that all writers should do?
Julie Hedlund: Write. And write and write and write and write and write. Yes, there are plenty of other things that will help you become a better writer (reading, taking classes, etc.), but the only way to truly improve and hone your voice is to write. A lot.
Dani: How does the 12×12 help picture book creators?
Julie: Speaking of the advice above to write,12 x 12 is a place that provides accountability to get the writing done by setting the goal of completing one picture book draft per month. It’s also where accountability meets massive amounts of support. There’s a Facebook group to get questions answered immediately, a Forum to get feedback on manuscripts, and monthly webinars to both inspire and inform.
Dani: What’s your favorite thing about the 12×12?
Julie: The members! It’s amazing to be surrounded by such lovely, generous, talented people who are on the same journey. Their energy keeps me going through my own writing slumps.
Dani: How is the Picture Book Submission system different than other courses out there?
Julie: The Complete Picture Book Submission System is the only step-by-step, soup-to-nuts guide to crafting standout picture book submissions. Picture books are a unique format that require different things in submissions than do longer, un-illustrated works. Everything in the System is specific to picture books – how to format different types, how to use art notes, finding agents who represent PBs, finding picture book specific comp titles, etc.
Dani: Why should people take part in the Picture Book Summit?
Julie: It’s a blast! Seriously, though, it’s the only full-day conference of its caliber I know of that is entirely online (saving travel costs and time away from home), It includes submission opportunities AND gives you access to the replays from the entire conference for a full four months afterward. You don’t even have to attend live and you still get everything. Plus we have dance parties. How do we do that online? Join us and find out! 😉
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Follow Julie:
12×12 Challenge website & blog: http://12x12challenge.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JulieFHedlund
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JulieFHedlund
Website: http://www.juliehedlund.com/
The Complete Picture Book Submission System: https://picturebooksubmissions.com/
Picture Book Summit: http://picturebooksummit.com/
My Love For You is the Sun: https://www.amazon.com/Love-You-Sun-Julie-Hedlund/dp/0989668835/r
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Prize @%@%@%@%@%
One lucky winner will win a copy of “The Coloring Book for Writers” by
Linda Faulkerson! This prize is generously donated by Becky Aren’t!To win this prize:
Tell Julie how you liked her post in a comment.
Also be sure to thank Becky for this prize in your comment!
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Another Look at “Where it All Happens”
I wanted to give you a quick look at what your rooms can look like. This comes from pages 12-19 in the Spring into Writing workbook. Don’t have the workbook you can download it here: https://www.daniduck.com/spring-into-writing/
Below is a new room I created! The room my son and I created for the video is still up on the Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1117605075090170/
While I was doing this I learned that it’s probably better to add in your notes with sticky notes/note cards. What I want in this picture can change at any time, so I don’t want any of it to be permanent. After I put in the pot lights I regretted it. I may not want them to be a part of my final room!
If you find you don’t like a part of your room then just start over with a fresh background. If you have just taped or used pushpins in your image things should be easy to change. Since I had to remove the big image that David and I did from the cardboard backing I ended up taping everything to the background with masking tape. That way I can still move things around if we want.
Upper Right Corner 
Lower Left Corner 
Upper Right Corner 
Lower Right Corner -
Jennifer Ward: Avian Writer
Jennifer Ward is the author of over 20 kids books including “Mama Built a Little Nest” and “Mama Dug a Little Den”. I was lucky enough to meet Jennifer at the Children’s Book Academy’s “The Craft and Business of Illustrating Picture Books”. Jennifer Ward was encouraged by her Illustrator Steve Jenkins to take the class and I’m so glad she did. She is an amazing illustrator and I can’t wait to see her illustrate some of her future books!
You can see more of Jennifer’s work on her website at: http://www.jenniferwardbooks.com
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Dani Duck: How did your time as a teacher influence how you write now?
Jennifer Ward: I am a naturalist and have a degree in education with a minor in science. As a teacher, I used picture books to enhance all subject areas of curriculum, including science. Reading picture books daily helped me to “know” picture books. I found myself creating my own picture books to use with my students to share scientific concepts – expository nonfiction books that were simply made for classroom use when I couldn’t find books on the market with science concepts I wanted to convey. It’s exciting to see how the market of expository nonfiction has grown since my teaching days!
Dani: Which bird most represents who you are? Which bird would you like to be?
Jennifer Ward: Hmmm. Perhaps a Carolina Wren represents my personality – they are SO curious about everything around them, and so am I. If I had to be a bird, I think I’d choose to be an American Crow. They’re family oriented, with multiple generations living together year after year, intelligent, and have a more varied diet than most bug-eating songbirds!
Dani: What is the most fun you’ve ever had writing?
Jennifer Ward:The most fun I have writing is when I experience that “aha!” moment. You know, that epiphany moment when the right words surface to make something work – such as the perfect ending to a story. Writing isn’t always like that, so it’s always a “rush”, or fun, when it all comes together as I envisioned.
Dani: Why is STEM so important?
Jennifer Ward: It’s important that we provide students authentic opportunities to explore, wonder, question, create, problem solve and practice STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), that they may pursue careers related to STEM. As our world becomes more populated and natural resources decrease, I believe the health and vitality of our planet and its populations will depend on creative and innovative STEM focused minds.
Dani: What’s one thing you wish everyone knew about writing?
Jennifer Ward: Writing involves A LOT of thinking, and sometimes thinking is hard – especially when you’re trying to make a picture book story. Sometimes a story works. Sometimes it doesn’t. Some picture books may happen quickly; some may take years. Writing is truly a process, and a creative one.
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Follow Jennifer:
Website: http://www.jenniferwardbooks.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenwardbooks
Momma Built a Little Nest: http://www.jenniferwardbooks.com/nest.html
Momma Dug a Little Den: http://www.jenniferwardbooks.com/den.html
More of Jennifer Ward’s Books: http://www.jenniferwardbooks.com/books.html
