From Janice Hardy's Fiction University: How to Edit a Novel Without Feeling Overwhelmed
From SLJ and Travis Jonker's 100 Scope Notes: The Unhuggables (Books about porcupines and cacti - ha!)
From Literary Hub: The Best Writing in Memoriam of Anthony Bourdain
From PW: Remembering a Fallen Writer—With Her Own Book
From The New York Times: How Educational Children's Books Are Explaining President Trump
POPPY'S BEST BABIES - Part 2: Rosalinde Interviews Susan
Every now and then I get to share a special treat with you - the author and illustrator of a book in conversation with each other. Such is the case with POPPY'S BEST BABIES, written by Susan Eaddy and illustrated by Rosalinde Bonnett (all the way over in France). In Part 1, Susan asked Rosalinde some questions. In Part 2, Rosanlinde asks Susan some questions right back. Take it away, ladies!
A few Questions for Susan from Rosalinde.
Rosalinde: Hi Susan! As you know, I illustrated a myriad of awesome stories written by fabulous French, English and American authors, but I particularly connected with your writing and humor. I love your characters who are an endless source of inspiration for me! Now it’s my chance to know more about your creation process. What sparked the idea for Poppy’s Best Babies?
Susan: It started with a friend’s story. She was very close to her only grandchild and was happy to help when the second baby came along. Imagine her shock when the older sibling’s new-baby jealousy was transferred to the formerly beloved Grandmother! While of course, I felt bad for my friend, that story intrigued me with her details of revenge that only a five-year-old could dole out. Meanwhile, my own daughter had recently welcomed twins into the family—thus the inspiration was born.
Rosalinde: I am a big fan of Poppy’s strong personality. What was your inspiration for her?
Susan: Being human is a great place to start even if you are writing about a bunny. I have always been fascinated by the idea that your greatest strengths can also be your greatest flaws. One of the first places I look for those flaws is within myself! Poppy’s enthusiastic optimism and big dreams can sometimes blind her to reality. My husband would say that he knows someone else who needs an occasional reality check.
Rosalinde: All your characters have fun, distinct personalities. How did you manage to do that?
Susan: Even though they are woodland creatures, they are very human. Lavender is the calm stable personality that I WISH I could always find within myself. I have a few beloved cynics in my life, like Petunia. Mrs. Rose is modeled after my 5th grade teacher Mrs. Beaton, BEST teacher ever.
Susan: It is disjointed and non-linear at first. I just have to write down everything that occurs to me without self-editing, so I can go back in and pull out what matters. Depending on the manuscript, I am often drawing pictures as I write. After my first draft is coherent, I send it to my writing group. We are small, just 5 total and 4 of us are author/illustrators. I learn as much from critiquing their manuscripts as I do when they are critiquing mine. Having to stop and analyze is a great exercise to go through.
Susan: I do think about stories visually and sketch them out in my head and on paper. Even if I do not create the illustrations it helps in pacing out the book and creating drama.
Rosalinde: I laughed out loud the first time I read the manuscript. Does the humor come naturally in your writing or is it something you have to work at?
Susan: I write things that are funny to me. And I figure that if I find it funny, at least one other person will share my sense of humor. I’m glad that it happens to be you !
Susan: Never being sure if I am moving in the right direction as I develop the story. I spend untold hours muddling through until the concept is clear to me. For me, there is just no easy or straightforward way to do this. The whole process is very messy as I go through scores of revisions and feel my way through. And as a person who likes to tick things off a list and feel that I have made progress every day, it can feel disconcerting not to have progressed as quickly as I’d like.
Rosalinde: You’re very active in presenting your work in fairs, libraries, bookshops and schools. What do you like most about that?
Susan: Although I am naturally shy, I adore going to schools and talking with kids about books and art. I truly love the process of making books and I’m enthusiastic about showing it. As a matter of fact, this summer I will be giving a clay illustration master class in Rwanda to help train artists to produce books in the Kirwandan language (through Save the Children). I love the excuse to play with clay and share that passion with others !
Susan: I have a couple that are in the hopper. My dream project is to illustrate one of my own stories that incorporates my love of the natural world. I have several I have been kicking around for a lot of years and I would love to see them come to fruition. And of course I have lots of ideas for new Poppy books too !
Susan Eaddy Bio
Susan Eaddy works in her attic studio writing picture books and playing with clay. She was an Art Director for fifteen years, has served as a judge for the Audie Awards for 10 years, and has won international 3D illustration awards and a Grammy nomination.
Her clay-illustrated trade books include, My Love for You is the Sun by Julie Hedlund and Papa Fish’s Lullaby by Patricia Hubbell, and her clay artwork appears regularly in Babybug, Ladybug, Click and Spider Magazines. She is the author of Poppy’s Best Paper and Poppy’s Best Babies (illustrated by Rosalinde Bonnet) and the forthcoming Eenie Meenie Halloweenie, (illustrated by Lucy Fleming). www.susaneaddy.com
Watch the book trailer on Rosalinde's website - click on the image:
Rosalinde: Hi Susan! As you know, I illustrated a myriad of awesome stories written by fabulous French, English and American authors, but I particularly connected with your writing and humor. I love your characters who are an endless source of inspiration for me! Now it’s my chance to know more about your creation process. What sparked the idea for Poppy’s Best Babies?
Susan: It started with a friend’s story. She was very close to her only grandchild and was happy to help when the second baby came along. Imagine her shock when the older sibling’s new-baby jealousy was transferred to the formerly beloved Grandmother! While of course, I felt bad for my friend, that story intrigued me with her details of revenge that only a five-year-old could dole out. Meanwhile, my own daughter had recently welcomed twins into the family—thus the inspiration was born.
Rosalinde: I am a big fan of Poppy’s strong personality. What was your inspiration for her?
Susan: Being human is a great place to start even if you are writing about a bunny. I have always been fascinated by the idea that your greatest strengths can also be your greatest flaws. One of the first places I look for those flaws is within myself! Poppy’s enthusiastic optimism and big dreams can sometimes blind her to reality. My husband would say that he knows someone else who needs an occasional reality check.
Rosalinde: All your characters have fun, distinct personalities. How did you manage to do that?
Susan: Even though they are woodland creatures, they are very human. Lavender is the calm stable personality that I WISH I could always find within myself. I have a few beloved cynics in my life, like Petunia. Mrs. Rose is modeled after my 5th grade teacher Mrs. Beaton, BEST teacher ever.
Susan: It is disjointed and non-linear at first. I just have to write down everything that occurs to me without self-editing, so I can go back in and pull out what matters. Depending on the manuscript, I am often drawing pictures as I write. After my first draft is coherent, I send it to my writing group. We are small, just 5 total and 4 of us are author/illustrators. I learn as much from critiquing their manuscripts as I do when they are critiquing mine. Having to stop and analyze is a great exercise to go through.
Susan: I do think about stories visually and sketch them out in my head and on paper. Even if I do not create the illustrations it helps in pacing out the book and creating drama.
Rosalinde: I laughed out loud the first time I read the manuscript. Does the humor come naturally in your writing or is it something you have to work at?
Susan: I write things that are funny to me. And I figure that if I find it funny, at least one other person will share my sense of humor. I’m glad that it happens to be you !
Susan: Never being sure if I am moving in the right direction as I develop the story. I spend untold hours muddling through until the concept is clear to me. For me, there is just no easy or straightforward way to do this. The whole process is very messy as I go through scores of revisions and feel my way through. And as a person who likes to tick things off a list and feel that I have made progress every day, it can feel disconcerting not to have progressed as quickly as I’d like.
Rosalinde: You’re very active in presenting your work in fairs, libraries, bookshops and schools. What do you like most about that?
Susan: Although I am naturally shy, I adore going to schools and talking with kids about books and art. I truly love the process of making books and I’m enthusiastic about showing it. As a matter of fact, this summer I will be giving a clay illustration master class in Rwanda to help train artists to produce books in the Kirwandan language (through Save the Children). I love the excuse to play with clay and share that passion with others !
Susan: I have a couple that are in the hopper. My dream project is to illustrate one of my own stories that incorporates my love of the natural world. I have several I have been kicking around for a lot of years and I would love to see them come to fruition. And of course I have lots of ideas for new Poppy books too !
Susan Eaddy Bio
Susan Eaddy works in her attic studio writing picture books and playing with clay. She was an Art Director for fifteen years, has served as a judge for the Audie Awards for 10 years, and has won international 3D illustration awards and a Grammy nomination.
Her clay-illustrated trade books include, My Love for You is the Sun by Julie Hedlund and Papa Fish’s Lullaby by Patricia Hubbell, and her clay artwork appears regularly in Babybug, Ladybug, Click and Spider Magazines. She is the author of Poppy’s Best Paper and Poppy’s Best Babies (illustrated by Rosalinde Bonnet) and the forthcoming Eenie Meenie Halloweenie, (illustrated by Lucy Fleming). www.susaneaddy.com
Watch the book trailer on Rosalinde's website - click on the image:
Coloring Page Tuesday - Rabbit Run
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I create my coloring pages to draw your attention to my books! For instance...
my debut novel, A BIRD ON WATER STREET - winner of over a dozen literary awards, including Georgia Author of the Year. Click the cover to learn more!When the birds return to Water Street, will anyone be left to hear them sing? A miner's strike allows green and growing things to return to the Red Hills, but that same strike may force residents to seek new homes and livelihoods elsewhere. Follow the story of Jack Hicks as he struggles to hold onto everything he loves most.
I create my coloring pages for teachers, librarians, booksellers, and parents to enjoy for free with their children, but you can also purchase rights to an image for commercial use, please contact me. If you have questions about usage, please visit my Angel Policy page.
Original Art of the Week: Fairy Orb
This week, my original pen and ink drawing of "Fairy Orb" from my Marginal Creatures collection goes live in my Etsy Shop. This pen & ink drawing, at A4 dimension, is offered as an original unframed artwork, signed and with a certificate of authentication. Only $400! Patreon contributors can download a PDF of the image with its accompanying haiku for free! Click the image to go to my store.
to download the image as an exclusive Patron giveaway!
to download the image as an exclusive Patron giveaway!
Shoreline of Infinity!
I have some works published in the latest edition of Shoreline of Infinity! CLICK HERE to order your copy. (Cover art by Siobhan McDonald.)
Add to that, Jane Yolen and I will be speaking at the Shoreline of Infinity launch party at Frankenstein's on the the George IV Bridge in Edinburgh on Thursday, 14 June, right before I leave for the states. Click the banner to learn more.
Birthday ~ Going Away Party
Each year, I struggle to see all my Scotland friends before I rush off to the states for the summer to teach at Hollins University in the MFA in Children's Book Writing and Illustrating program. The solution? Gather them together all at once! And since my birthday falls right before I leave, it works out perfectly.
VIDEO: How to Train Your Dragon III !!!
OMG, OMG, OMG!!!! I LOVE these movies - I cannot WAIT to see this! And they turned Hiccup into a hipster! OMG! Click on the image to watch the trailer on Youtube. 
VIDEO: Alternative Math
I love this short film, which has won a ton of awards - Alternative Math. Click the image to watch on Youtube. It's worth your time!
What a Bookshelf Can Do!
Thank you to everyone for the sweet birthday wishes this week!
Hubby got me the best present for a geek creator like me - a new bookshelf!
I'll admit, the only thing I have regretted getting rid of in The Great Purge is my books. That said, I really couldn't have kept them. They were too heavy to ship. Even so, I can't tell you how many times during my studies I have said, "Well, I used to own that book. I guess I'll have to buy it again!" (or check it out from the library, which is what I do more of these days).
The other thing that has 're-stuffed' in my life is art supplies.
When we left the states, I was still a digital creator and had my art studio down to a backpack - my laptop and Wacom tablet could both fit inside it and that was it!
The MFA changed all that. I am now a mostly traditional creator (I Love having originals to share!), which requires art supplies. But, art supplies take up space. To stay somewhat organized, I had them in bags inside boxes, which meant that every time I wanted to work with something, I had to dig. That is not very conducive to creativity!
A simple Ikea bookshelf, placed on its side, has changed everything for me! Not only do I now have a new credenza-like workspace adding to my surface area, all of my books and supplies are where I can see them and easy to get to, so I'll be much more likely to use them. For instance...Here are my sketchbooks and sketchpads.
Hubby got me the best present for a geek creator like me - a new bookshelf!
I'll admit, the only thing I have regretted getting rid of in The Great Purge is my books. That said, I really couldn't have kept them. They were too heavy to ship. Even so, I can't tell you how many times during my studies I have said, "Well, I used to own that book. I guess I'll have to buy it again!" (or check it out from the library, which is what I do more of these days).
The other thing that has 're-stuffed' in my life is art supplies.
When we left the states, I was still a digital creator and had my art studio down to a backpack - my laptop and Wacom tablet could both fit inside it and that was it!
The MFA changed all that. I am now a mostly traditional creator (I Love having originals to share!), which requires art supplies. But, art supplies take up space. To stay somewhat organized, I had them in bags inside boxes, which meant that every time I wanted to work with something, I had to dig. That is not very conducive to creativity!
A simple Ikea bookshelf, placed on its side, has changed everything for me! Not only do I now have a new credenza-like workspace adding to my surface area, all of my books and supplies are where I can see them and easy to get to, so I'll be much more likely to use them. For instance...Here are my sketchbooks and sketchpads.
Friday Links List - 8 June 2018
From SLJs Fuse #8: The Castle Where Children's Literature Lives - I hope to visit one day!
From The Federation of Children's Book Groups: World Environment Day: The Global Plastic Problem and How To Help
Also from the FCBG: Empathy Day with Kate Milner (on My Name is Not Refugee)
From Houzz: Design Pop: 7 Home Lessons We Learned From Mister Rogers
From Illustration Age: Interview with Dan Santat
From Jacqueline Davies: Excuse Me, Sir? Did You Forget Something? (Important Read!)
From Brightly: 15 Tips for Starting a Lifelong Conversation About Books
From The Standard: Best Graphic Novels Written by Women
From the Picture Book Den: Starting to Write Children's Picture Books by Paeony Lewis (VERY GOOD!)
Pinecone Mousies: I want to make these!
From The Federation of Children's Book Groups: World Environment Day: The Global Plastic Problem and How To Help
Also from the FCBG: Empathy Day with Kate Milner (on My Name is Not Refugee)
From Houzz: Design Pop: 7 Home Lessons We Learned From Mister Rogers
From Illustration Age: Interview with Dan Santat
From Jacqueline Davies: Excuse Me, Sir? Did You Forget Something? (Important Read!)
From Brightly: 15 Tips for Starting a Lifelong Conversation About Books
From The Standard: Best Graphic Novels Written by Women
From the Picture Book Den: Starting to Write Children's Picture Books by Paeony Lewis (VERY GOOD!)
Pinecone Mousies: I want to make these!
Leslye Walton's THE PRICE GUIDE TO THE OCCULT
Leslye Walton stopped by dulemba.com after the release of her first book, The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender. And I'm thrilled to have her back to talk about her latest book, The Price Guide to the Occult. In both of her books, mothers play important and extraordinary roles. I asked her to talk about that...
Importance of Mothers
Leslye Walton
The mother figure is a classic fairytale troupe. And yet, most of the time, the mother is often deceased before the story even begins. Think about it. The mother in Cinderella? Dead. Beauty and the Beast? Dead. Little Mermaid? Dead. It is not the mother who plays a distinct role in the plot; it is her absence. The lack of a loving and nurturing mother has a significant impact on not only the hero or heroine, but on the plot as well. (If Ariel’s mom had been around, you can bet that little mermaid wouldn’t have ended up as sea foam).
Those mothers who haven’t already been killed off often drive the conflict by banishing, butchering, and betraying their children. In Hansel and Gretel, the mother convinces her husband to leave their children in the woods because they eat too much (But don’t worry, she’s mysteriously dead by the end of the story anyway). And in the original fairytale of Snow White, there’s no villainous stepmother, rather Snow White’s biological mother tries to kill her daughter for stealing her beauty.
In my own work, the mother figure always seems to play a prominent part. This is true in both of my novels, though it’s safe to say the mothers differ greatly from one another. In The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender, there’s a character so immersed in motherhood that her children believe her first name is Maman; in my new novel, The Price Guide to the Occult, the main character Nor Blackburn is abandoned by her mother, and then raised by her grandmother Judd and her grandmother’s partner, Apothia. And though these two women provide a safe and loving home for Nor, the damage has already been done. Until the age of 10, Nor was raised by a narcissistic mother incapable of empathy or love. Nor’s mother, so hungry for power, inevitably tries to drain it from her own daughter. Much like Snow White, the most important female figure in Nor’s life wants to do her harm.
Perhaps this is why the mother figure remains relevant in fiction today. Though mother abandonment and betrayal might not result in a young person running off to live with a bunch of short men in a forest (though I suppose, statistically speaking, it must have at least once), the absence of a loving mother is always felt.
Leslye Walton
The mother figure is a classic fairytale troupe. And yet, most of the time, the mother is often deceased before the story even begins. Think about it. The mother in Cinderella? Dead. Beauty and the Beast? Dead. Little Mermaid? Dead. It is not the mother who plays a distinct role in the plot; it is her absence. The lack of a loving and nurturing mother has a significant impact on not only the hero or heroine, but on the plot as well. (If Ariel’s mom had been around, you can bet that little mermaid wouldn’t have ended up as sea foam).
Those mothers who haven’t already been killed off often drive the conflict by banishing, butchering, and betraying their children. In Hansel and Gretel, the mother convinces her husband to leave their children in the woods because they eat too much (But don’t worry, she’s mysteriously dead by the end of the story anyway). And in the original fairytale of Snow White, there’s no villainous stepmother, rather Snow White’s biological mother tries to kill her daughter for stealing her beauty.
In my own work, the mother figure always seems to play a prominent part. This is true in both of my novels, though it’s safe to say the mothers differ greatly from one another. In The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender, there’s a character so immersed in motherhood that her children believe her first name is Maman; in my new novel, The Price Guide to the Occult, the main character Nor Blackburn is abandoned by her mother, and then raised by her grandmother Judd and her grandmother’s partner, Apothia. And though these two women provide a safe and loving home for Nor, the damage has already been done. Until the age of 10, Nor was raised by a narcissistic mother incapable of empathy or love. Nor’s mother, so hungry for power, inevitably tries to drain it from her own daughter. Much like Snow White, the most important female figure in Nor’s life wants to do her harm.
Perhaps this is why the mother figure remains relevant in fiction today. Though mother abandonment and betrayal might not result in a young person running off to live with a bunch of short men in a forest (though I suppose, statistically speaking, it must have at least once), the absence of a loving mother is always felt.
Coloring Page Tuesday - Honey Cake
my debut novel, A BIRD ON WATER STREET - winner of over a dozen literary awards, including Georgia Author of the Year. Click the cover to learn more!When the birds return to Water Street, will anyone be left to hear them sing? A miner's strike allows green and growing things to return to the Red Hills, but that same strike may force residents to seek new homes and livelihoods elsewhere. Follow the story of Jack Hicks as he struggles to hold onto everything he loves most.
I create my coloring pages for teachers, librarians, booksellers, and parents to enjoy for free with their children, but you can also purchase rights to an image for commercial use, please contact me. If you have questions about usage, please visit my Angel Policy page.
Jane Yolen's Wayside
Once again, Jane Yolen invited this gang of unruly writers to her lovely home of Wayside in St Andrews, Scotland for a gathering of great minds and silliness. 
Elizabeth (one of three Elizabeths invited, which wreaked all manner of havoc - E.W., Elizabeth Kerner, and me) drove us through a hopping and sunny downtown St Andrews, and finally put a name to "Zebra (pronounced "zeb-rah" not "zee-brah") Crossings" for me. (These are black and white striped poles that indicate where pedestrians have the right-of-way over cars at an intersection. I never knew they had a name.) Downtown was hopping with people shopping and sitting outside at cafes, enjoying the sunshine. I enjoyed the ride so much, I only thought to take one photograph of this lovely ruin downtown.
At any rate, after eating, Jane gave us all medals for being her friends, as if we could love her any more. Her support and generosity towards me and other creators amazes me. There will be books about these lovely gatherings at Wayside someday, of that I am certain. Tolkien and Lewis had nothing on us!
Elizabeth (one of three Elizabeths invited, which wreaked all manner of havoc - E.W., Elizabeth Kerner, and me) drove us through a hopping and sunny downtown St Andrews, and finally put a name to "Zebra (pronounced "zeb-rah" not "zee-brah") Crossings" for me. (These are black and white striped poles that indicate where pedestrians have the right-of-way over cars at an intersection. I never knew they had a name.) Downtown was hopping with people shopping and sitting outside at cafes, enjoying the sunshine. I enjoyed the ride so much, I only thought to take one photograph of this lovely ruin downtown.
At any rate, after eating, Jane gave us all medals for being her friends, as if we could love her any more. Her support and generosity towards me and other creators amazes me. There will be books about these lovely gatherings at Wayside someday, of that I am certain. Tolkien and Lewis had nothing on us!
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