September 18, 2011
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Conference
In case you’re wondering why there are no recent posts… I’ve been hired to write a book! And since I’m essentially working as a ghost writer, I really can’t disclose too much because that wouldn’t be very ghost-like of me. Needless to say, it’s an amazing opportunity and adventure and I’m really excited to be part of the creation team for this project. Hopefully I’ll be able to tell you more about it later. (Stay tuned.)
Anyhow… The Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (http://www.rmcscbwi.org/) conference was this weekend, and it was so much fun! I was unable to attend last year because I was going into labor with Max, but this year I was able to meet our speakers and help run the event as a co-illustrator coordinator. I was also lucky enough to win the illustration contest, so my image was on the brochure and merchandise.
Our keynote speaker was Adam Rex (http://www.adamrex.com/) – an incredible artist and writer. 
We had a Friday Illustrator Intensive with Adam, and had a great time learning from one of the most talented guys in the business.
I was also lucky enough to attend some writer sessions and learned about making a memorable book character from Barbara Steiner (http://www.barbarasteiner.com/) and also had the first page of the novel I’m working on read by Kendra Levin of Viking Press (http://www.shewrites.com/profile/KendraLevin) and Kristin Nelson of Nelson Literary Agency (http://www.nelsonagency.com/). Kendra’s review was especially positive and there was a great response from the attendees as well. Kristin’s session gave me some good feedback about what was unclear in the first manuscript page and I see now where a couple tweaks could improve the book’s introduction.
We also had a very fun (and informational) Sunday workshop with Paul Yalowitz (http://paulyalowitzillustration.com/), and I was reminded of how important it is to observe details. For example, you can learn a whole lot about a person just by the shoes they wear!
I LOVE being a part of this community and am so grateful to be on the volunteer team to help make events like this happen! I’m already excited for what the next year brings.
June 26, 2011
Monster Step-Dad
Mama Married a Monster
by Karen Windness
Mama married a monster. Mama calls him Mike.
She says that he’s my step-dad and a man I’ll learn to like.
Mama lets him in our house. She feeds Mike every day.
He’s allowed up on the furniture and now won’t go away!
I’ve asked Mike when he’s leaving. He says, “I’m here to stay!”
I guess there’s nothing I can do except to move away.
My bag is packed, my tires are pumped, it’s time to say “adieu”.
Mama says she’ll miss me. Mike says he’ll miss me, too!
Mike says I could get hungry. He’ll make a monster snack.
Mama offers me some cocoa as she puts away my pack.
I suppose Mike isn’t so bad. I like the way he cooks.
And I think I could get used to his funny monster looks.
Sometimes he takes us to the park. We’ve made a silly kite.
And when I’m on his shoulders I know everything’s alright.
I know my mama loves him, and that they both love me.
Perhaps there’s room for monsters in a happy family tree.
“Mama, can we keep him?” Mike’s really not so bad.
It might just be an okay thing to have a monster dad.
June 4, 2011
Goldilocks and the 3 Hairdos, in progress
Here’s another unfinished children’s book I’ve been working on. I think the illustrations would be SO fun to create, but alas, I am stuck once again. (My next book will NOT rhyme. Why must I torture myself, so?)
Goldilocks and the 3 Hairdos
by Karen Windness
Each year in the kingdom at a fashionable ball,
A contest is held for the fairest of all.
To gowns and to slippers the trophies would go,
But the highest of prizes was “Best Hair in Show.”
Tailors and cobblers would battle for glory,
But stylists, it seemed, were the stars of the story.
(Something here about how Goldie Locks got into hair styling.)
Goldie Lock’s Shop, three years in a row,
claimed ‘Salon #1’ and ‘Best Hair in Show’.
The first to Miss Goldie’s the day of the dance,
was a Princess named Beauty, still dazed from her trance.
“Oh Goldie,” she yawned, “My hair is a snooze.”
“If I go like this, I’m certain to lose!”
“Let Goldie whip up a look that’s just right
and you’ll take the cup for best hair-do tonight.”
With a press and foam and a some perk-me-up gel,
Beauty’s new ‘do cast a powerful spell.
But who stopped the Princess on route to the ball?
The wolf with the hair that was baddest of all.
“I can’t pass the guard at the castle gate
unless I arrive with an invited date.”
“So pretty princess, let’s go to that dance!”
Said Beauty, “With you? Sorry. No chance.”
“Your breath is quite nasty, your hair is a yawn,
and there’s ‘No Dogs Allowed’ on the castle lawn.”
“Then I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow down your ‘do!”
Before Beauty could swoon her hair was blown through.
Back at the shop perched high in a chair
Rapunzel, Rapunzel cried, “Off with my hair!”
“These long knotty waves are tripping my toes.
A girl needs her feet to dance Do-Si-Dos.”
“You’ll be free to cut loose at the ball tonight.”
Trust Goldie to give you a style that’s just right.”
With an architect’s plan and an artisan’s eye
Goldie braided and pinned ‘Punzel’s hair to the sky.
But who barred Rapunzel outside of the ball?
The wolf with the mane that was baddest of all.
“Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Take me to the dance!”
“Wolfy, with you? Sorry. No chance!”
“I’d rather be trapped in a windowless tower
than dance with a wolf so in need of a shower.”
“Then I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow down your ‘do!”
Rapunzel wigged out but her hair was blown through.
The last to arrive at Goldilock’s Shop
was a red-hooded lass with a flat carrot top.
“I won’t please a prince with this hood-shaped hair.
Can you give me a style with some fire and flair?”
“You’ll spark the eye of a prince tonight.
Trust Goldie to cook up a ‘do that’s just right.”
With some dynamite dye and bomb-diggity spray
Red’s fiery head was a sizzling display.
But who startled Red on her way to the ball?
The wolf with the fur that was baddest of all.
“Little Red Darling, take me to that dance!”
“I know about wolves, so NO. Not a chance!”
“Your nose is too long and your ears are too big
and you look like you’ve recently eaten a pig.”
“Then I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow down your ‘do!”
But Red kept her head and to Goldie’s she flew.
The wolf chased Red blindly and was unable to stop
when Little Red ran into Goldilock’s Shop.
Then the worstest of wolves with the baddest of hair
found himself buckled in Goldilock’s chair.
With a wash and a comb and a shave and de-lice,
the baddest of wolves cleaned up nicer than nice.
Then Red and the wolf (who now was her date)
arrived at the dance not a minute too late.
(This ending needs WORK!)
The prince gave out prizes – “Best Color” to Red
Then “Curliest”, “Straightest” and “Most Hairless Head.”
But when it was time to name Number One ‘Do
The judges where stuck and just couldn’t pick who.
The crowed grumbled loudly, the prince made the call,
“It appears there’s a tie for Hair Fairest of All!”
Rapunzel and Beauty, you’ve blown us away.
Your styles are so funky, you both win today!
(Then something about award to the stylists. Big bad winning a prize. Then do he and Goldie set up shop together?)
June 1, 2011
Halloween Circus – in process
In case you were wondering about that Halloween Circus book I’ve been struggling with. You know, the one with a beginning and part of an ending but a lot of confusion in the middle? Well, here’s where it stands. I’ve often thought I’d be better at collaborating than doing a book on my own, so if you have feedback and/or contributions, I’m all ears!
Halloween Circus
by Karen L. Windness
When black curtain night parts for yellow grin moon,
Who rides up the sky like a hot air balloon,
We’ll parade to the graveyard and knock at each tomb,
Then raise up the big top repeating this tune:
Come dead or alive and watch if you dare,
A Halloween 3-Ring that’s certain to scare!
Phantoms and specters and skeletal creatures,
Float, fly, and clatter their way to the bleachers.
Drums begin rumbling as the ring monster roars,
“Light every lantern and stitch up the doors!”
(welcome the guests and introduce the performances here)
Our transparent guest float right off their seats,
When high-flying mummies try heart-stopping feats.
Heads fly through the air with the greatest of ease,
When our cannibal plants join the flying trapeze.
(more acts, etc.)
The show isn’t over ‘til the fat banshee screams,
“Children are coming! Pack up your things!”
We’ll load up the big top, the band and the crew,
The side show performers, the cast and the zoo.
Then wave to our guests and make our retreat,
Faster than you can say “trick-or-treat!”
(more ending parts here)
May 31, 2011
An Absolutely Brutal Circus
I’ve been busy trying to write a Halloween circus book. It has a decent beginning and good end, but the middle is killing me! My hubster suggested turning it into an ABC book, which is a good idea… but I guess I’m in the frustrated writer phase, because this is what came up with today. I don’t suggest reading it to your toddlers before bed…
An Absolutely Brutal Circus
ABC book by Karen Windness
A is for ambulance taking acrobats away.
B is for bears lapping blood off their prey.
C is for clowns of the cannibal kind.
D for daredevils on which the clowns dine.
E for explosions from elephant rears.
F for fireworks that will bring you to tears.
G for a guest who’d be better off dead.
H for the hippo who’ll sit on your head.
I is for I scream when I see teeth like saws.
J – juicy jugglers in jaguar jaws.
K is for knives and knife thrower who trips.
L is for lions with lickety lips.
M for magician making mischievous magic.
N for a net with a hole – oh how tragic!
O is for “Open!”, but this door is shut tight.
P is for puppets, possessed but polite.
Q is for questionable moment of quiet.
R is for ring master inciting a riot.
S is for snake charmer –he’s in a tight squeeze.
T is for tumblers with a toxic disease.
U for upchuck in an upturned umbrella.
V – vicious viper – Whoa there, big fella!
W for wet pants and waiting to die.
Oh wait, here’s an eXit! Good luck and good-bye!
Y would you read even one more bad letter?
Lets go to the Zoo. That has GOT to be better.
