Publishing a children's book

Ok, so I've never published a children's book- BUT I took a class on it, and it afforded me a chance to talk with a lot of first time published author's of children's books. 
I actually wrote this in response to a blog post on Pioneer Woman's site, because I felt her post was a bit misleading about how easy it is to be published...  So here was my comment on her blog:
(Comment on a blog post on Pioneer Woman's site)
This is a great post on the process of writing a children’s book- when you already have a publisher, a fan base, and #1 bestsellers under your belt.
SO just for information sake- here is all the basics I learned from some first time published children’s book authors:
The process is much different when you don’t have these things. Usually you don’t get to pick your illustrator, you don’t get to have quite as much input with the illustrations, you are limited to 32 pages- and need at least 18-25 art possibilities in your text.
Once you have a story you think is worthy of being published you send your manuscript to as many agents as you can. You have to make sure that your manuscript and cover letter are written in a certain format- industry standards…
Double spaced, one-sided only, indented at each paragraph, 12 pt times new roman or courier font, don’t use bold or italicized, any notes that you have for the illustrator should be in brackets. The title page should have the title centered on the page and underlined, at the top should have your name, address, email and phone on the top left corner single spaced, and the on the top right should be your last name/one word to recognize the book with (this header should be on every page of the manuscript to identify it).
The current trend in Children’s books is 2nd person and 200-500 words, with the protagonist being 5-7 years old.
(Follow-up comment, after some questions concerning my first comment)
I should have mentioned that the notes to the illustrator in brackets should only be included in the manuscript when they are absolutely necessary for the story to make sense. Otherwise don’t make ANY suggestions to the illustrator. I got this info from a publisher. And never, ever submit your manuscript with illustrations. That is totally taboo for some reason (I don’t know why).
Also, the 2nd person voice is just a current trend- I actually tried writing something in 2nd person for a writing class, and it pretty much stunk. So any voice that makes your story the best possible story it can be is the best voice to use. If you want an example of 2nd person voice think of all the “If you give a mouse/pig/moose a ______” books.
Also, there are publisher directory books that can be checked out from the library (Children’s and Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market book)- with addresses and the type of books they publish. You can also find this info online, but having a comprehensive book can save time. But once you pick publishers from the book, look them up online and see what they are really currently accepting. BUT most authors I’ve met suggest finding an agent to promote your work for you. They take a cut of the profits, but they also protect you from having the publisher “steal” from you. Find agents online at AARonline.org .
Let’s see, is there anything else I’ve learned that would be useful… Write, write and rewrite. I like this quote “A writer wrestles with their writing so the reader doesn’t have to” -Zinzell.
Also, publisher’s like levels. Levels are things like ABC, Numbers, humor, educational, colors, bed time book, funny for the parent- stuff like that. Think “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” , it has days of the week, fruit, numbers, education of the life cycle, lots of levels.
Anyway, it took me forever to figure all this stuff out, so if any of the info helps someone out there to get started, then I’m thrilled!

Post Op

I'm so grateful!
The tumor is gone.
My mother is here helping care for my children while I'm away.
My husband's job is being very flexible, letting him work from home and spend time with me at the hospital.
The tumor was benign.
My friends have brought my family dinner while I'm away
I'm not in very much pain.
I got to watch HGTV for 3 days straight. ha ha ha.
My kids have been very well-behaved.
I already met my out of pocket max and my deductible.
My hospital bed is super comfy.
My nurses have been so so nice.
I can have hot chocolate anytime I want.
I was comforted by all the prayers of my loved ones.
And now I need to go to bed...
Love -Kendra

Sisters

I feel so lucky to have three incredible sisters.  They are funny, smart, beautiful, and my best friends! 

I love my sisters.

One of my all time favorite pictures of my sisters and I.

My dad loves this picture (NOT!)

  

We work nicely together.

Surgery Date

I was able to find a great thoracic surgeon.  His name is Richard Bowman.  He squeezed me in for a consultation between heart surgeries yesterday.  After looking at my CT scan and my MRI he said they should be able to do a minimally invasive procedure where they make three, one inch incisions between my ribs under my right arm.  They will use scopes and remove the entire tumor.  It will be biopsied, but he strongly believes it is not cancer and that it won't grow back.  (sigh of relief)  My surgery will be on April 11th.  It's during my mother's spring break (she is a teacher) so she'll fly out and stay with my kids while I'm in the hospital.  If everything goes right during the surgery, I should only be in the hospital for 3 days.
I feel really good now that I have so many questions answered and a plan to get the mass out of my body.

Tumor update

So I had my MRI this morning.  Not the most comfortable thing I've ever done.  An hour with my hands stretched up over my head- ugh.  If it weren't for the stinging pain in my arms I could've had a nice 1 hour nap.  Oh well.
After all the tests I am feeling more confident that the tumor isn't cancer.  Really the only major problem with this tumor is where it's located.  It's kind of sandwiched deep in my chest between my spine and heart, sitting on top of my lungs.  Heart, spine, lungs- hmm- all pretty important organs.  So after the MRI they determined that there weren't nerves from my spinal cord that were mixed up in the tumor.  That means I most likely don't need a neurosurgeon- I'll need a thoracic surgeon. 
What is a Thoracic Surgeon?
A thoracic surgeon is a medical doctor who performs operations on the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other organs in the chest. This also includes surgeons who can be called cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiovascular surgeons, general thoracic surgeons, and congenital heart surgeons.
(I had to look that up )
Next step- find a good thoracic surgeon.

Tissue Mass

I had my follow up appointment after my CT scan of my chest.  I have a tumor, just bigger than a golf ball in my upper chest.  The doctor said that it doesn't appear to be cancer- but I am going to have to have surgery to have it removed and biopsied.  Next week I'm going to have a MRI to see some more details and see how it is interacting or entangled with surrounding nerves (since it is close to my spine).  Then I will find a neurosurgeon and get it removed.

This is my original post after finding about about the tumor in my chest:

 I probably won't post this blog post...  On Wednesday I got a call from the doctor saying that there is a small tissue mass that showed up on my chest x-ray.  My next step is to get a CT scan.
I don't know what to think.  I'm calm knowing God is in charge.  I'm relieved knowing that 9 times out of ten it is nothing to worry about.  I'm thankful I have so much love and support from my family.  I am so glad we put money away in our flexible spending account.  But I'm also sad.  Sad that there is a possibility it could be bad news- that I could need surgery or worse that I might have cancer.
There is so many things running through my head.  What if I die?  What if I get really sick?  Who will help take care of the children?  Do I ask someone to move in with us?  If I loose all my hair- I'll have to get some cool hats, maybe a wig cause I have a HUGE scar on the top of my head (this thought makes me laugh).  Why didn't I schedule the CT scan for an earlier date!?  Why don't I live closer to my mom?  I miss my sisters.  I wish someone was home to hold me while I cry.  And worst of all- WHY the heck am I even worrying!  I literally don't know if anything is even wrong!  Ha- I'm such a worry wart.  I inherited that from my mother ;) .
I know I have more to do.  Here in this life.  I know God has more he needs me to accomplish to help his Kingdom grow here on earth.  I don't know, however, if that means I'll be completely healthy doing it.  Maybe something I have to endure is cancer.  If so, then ok, God knows what is best.  I trust him.  All my other worries will be addressed and everything will work out.  Trusting in the Lord brings unimaginable peace.

Garden 2011

This is our cute little garden!  I'm so excited about our garden this year, I can just feel that it's going to be a productive garden.
I tried out a new method this year- Square Foot Gardening.
So my 4x4 garden is going to have 16 different plots to plant whatever my heart desires.
So far I've planted tomatoes, jalapenos, garlic, onions, spinach, cilantro, parsley, carrots, cucumbers and zucchini.  Yummy.  (and yes, I love to make homemade salsa, why do you ask?)
The smaller 3x3 bed is for the kiddos.  The each have 3 square feet to plant in.  I need to get their plants in the ground by the weekend!  So far they've said they want to plant strawberries and watermelon.  O.K.  We'll see how that goes. ;)
Whatever the result, I'm looking forward to teaching, tending, and learning about gardens this summer- oh yeah, and eating!

My friend is growing a square foot garden too- check it out! 

Decorating a Cranial Orthotic (Baby Helmet)

My niece has torticollis and plagiocephaly (stiff neck muscles and a flat head)...  So for a couple months she is going to wear a helmet made specifically for shaping her head, preventing further flattening and helping to strengthen the correct muscles.

I think she looks absolutely adorable in it.  Her mama wanted to dress it up a bit- give it a little love (and decoration!).  So she called me, because she knows I will try anything.  Even when I have no idea what I'm doing!  So after shooting off my mouth about- "Oh!  We could decoupage some fabric on it, add some crystals!  It would be so cute!"  She went out and bought some fabric and came over.  About an hour before she showed up I realized that I in fact did not know what I was talking about.  So I did what you would've done, I googled it.  NO ONE- at least that I could find- had used fabric to decorate the helmet.  There were plenty of people who used paint, stickers and even decoupaged paper onto the helmets.  But I couldn't find one example of fabric.  So I did what I always do- I did it anyway.

You will need:
Mod Podge
Fabric- 5 coordinating types
a paint brush
a sharp small pair of scissors
Fray Check
(and if you want, some crystals!)

 We cut little squares of each type of fabric about 1" or 2" squares (not exact).  Coated the cleaned outside of the helmet with Mod Podge.  Placed the squares of fabric randomly so the entire outside was covered.  I used sharp little scissors to trim around the edges and then finished the edges of the fabric with Fray check around the outside of the helmet.

They left while it was still drying, so we didn't get to put the crystals on yet.  BUT  I think it turned out great- like a girlie patchwork quilt.  Only time will tell if this will hold up or be a complete disaster- I'm hoping for success!

I promise to add updates.

UPDATE 3/8/2011

Isn't she cute!
Crystals and last layer of Shiny Mod Podge added
(Schwarsky Crystals glued on with Elmer's craft glue)

After a month, it is holding up perfectly.  Her parents only have to touch up the edges occasionally with Mod Podge after a thorough cleaning of the inside with rubbing alcohol.  

Nora's Sand Castle Cake

Nora turned 5.
She acts like she's 15.
I love her like crazy, and she drives me crazy.  I think she feels the same way about me.
She wanted a sand castle cake for her birthday- So I did my best (I was sick as a dog!)....

Random crafting

So lately I get into crafting frenzies.  I cleaned my fabric stash- refolded, organized, threw away...  I was so excited to find some of the stuff I had to start doing new projects right away!  I made some new dolls for the kids for Valentine's Day, I repainted a painting that I acquired, I sewed new covers for the pillows on my couch, I made Nora a dress, and decorated the house for Valentine's day- all in the last five days or so.  Here are some pictures and before and afters:

Pillows Before

Pillows after

Painting Before (the only pic I could find of it)

Painting after

Ethan and Nora's Valentine Plushies

Decorations

Decorations

Nora's dress made from t-shirts.  The link keeps posting upside down ?!.

Fun!  I only wish I had time to do more.

What I know about parenting

"The only true wisdom consists in knowing that you know nothing"
-Socrates

New quilt, brown throw

I took a quilting class with a friend (Brooke) recently.  Actually Brooke and I met on a plane on the way home from New York.  We instantly became friends and exchanged phone numbers.  We both like to quilt, so she called me up and asked if I wanted to take a class with her to learn how to do a technique called one block wonder (a bit cheesy, yes)...  Of course I said yes: I love quilting, learning, and hanging out with friends. 
The one block wonder is basically a technique where you stack the same type of fabric on it's repeat 6 times.  Then you cut through all six layers and make equilateral triangles.  There is a special order that you sew the triangles together and eventually you make hexagons that are tessellations.  It's a very fun and interesting concept, I wasn't really in love with the fabric I picked, but I think it turned out just fine.  It was fun to try a more traditional type of quilting.  I tend to lean toward more modern looking quilting, and this is the first time I've followed a pattern that I didn't make up- also a good learning experience.
I think I learned the most from the experience of the other quilters.  That is truly the best way to learn quilting, shut up and listen to the ladies with experience.  They have made all the mistakes and learned all the tricks- and hopefully by listening I'll avoid a few mistakes and learn some new short cuts.
I'm selling this quilt on my Etsy shop- mostly because I wasn't in love with the fabric.  Now that it's finished, I do like it quite a bit, but still I was already planning on selling it, so why not?

I can't wait to learn some more!


My etsy shop where I'm selling it:
Kendra Made

Some Days

So some days I just want to sleep.
and sometimes I realize that I'm in too deep.
Today my body feels old and tired
I'm afraid when DH gets home I'll be fired.
The laundry is calling out my name
how much there's to do is quite a shame.
I think "How hard is it to just start"
Then I find myself falling apart
I truly haven't earned my keep today
Why do I feel so full of dismay
But I'll do what I do on everyday like this one
I'll pull out all the stops and get most of it done
Laundry almost finished, table set for dining
floors and rooms and countertops shining
A smile on my face, my hair nicely set
And no one will be the wiser I bet,
That really I'm just old and tired,
and hoping today's not the day I get fired.

Igloo Fun

It snowed!

The snow is perfect.  It is light and fluffy, but still a bit dense and barely wet- perfect for building something....  Like an igloo.  Well, it was suppose to be an igloo, but our bricks were too narrow and so the base wasn't substantial enough to hold the top together.  So, it ended up being a snow fort.  After I went inside the house, I peeked out the front window and saw the kids in the neighborhood using it for a fort during a snowball fight.  Success.
Nora helped me in the morning and then Ethan helped me when he got back from school.  They both loved it.  Wesley, on the other hand, hated the snow and wanted nothing to do with the cold stuff, thank you very much.  So the only times I was able to work on it was while he was napping.  It was so fun.

Wesley's current Vocab

Jeesuh- Jesus
Da- Dad
Mama- mama ;)
Ah duh- All done
On Gon- All gone
oh!- oops
ma ma ma- more
daahh- dog
noe- nose
tee- teeth
gah- bottle/cup

Mascara

I was in the bath and Nora walked in.
Me:  Nora do I have any mascara under my eyes?
Nora:  Yeah, some under them, and on top of your eyes, and you look like a mad man.

One time on a road trip....

So the last road trip we took Ethan was doing this thing where he would never have to use the bathroom when we stopped at a gas station, but ten minutes later he would have to go (like, so bad mom!)...
We stopped at another gas station, Ethan said he didn't have to go.
15 minutes down the road everyone in the car is asleep except Ethan and I.
Ethan: Mom, I really, really have to go.
Me: Oh no you don't
Ethan:  Mom!  I'm gonna pee my pants.
Me:  That's right you are.
Ethan:  Mom!!!!!!  Stop the car, I'm serious.
Me:  So am I, I asked you at the gas station, and you promised that you wouldn't have to go soon, now you have to wait.
Ethan:  I can't.  MOM!  I gotta go NOW.
Me:  Put on a pull-up.
Ethan:  No way......
5 minutes later
Ethan:  (while relieving himself in a pull-up)  Mom, just so you know, I'm 100%, NEVER doing this again.

Wes is One

My baby turned one today.
My Best Friend Mollie wrote this about her son turning one, it is exactly how I feel.  I could never explain it as eloquently as she does....
"It’s so odd how much changes in a year. If you were to look at monthly snapshots of how he’s grown, it would seem like each new thing happens in a flash. Wally smiling. Wally rolling over. Wally pushing up. Wally crawling. But the real life experience of milestones is so much more gradual. It happens like breathing. You breathe in one breath, then you breathe out. Then you are on to the next, without even thinking about the fact that the first breath is passed. Some of the air from the original breath is part of the next, some is new. And by the time a minute has passed, the air is completely different from the original. But it all happened gradually and without notice.
Your baby’s cheeks are turning up a little when he makes eye contact with you. Days later, he’s smiling every hour at least once. A week later he is smiling as long as he’s not sleeping or hungry. And you can’t remember when he went from a sleeping, crying lump to a little person who loves the sight of you.
Your baby turns his head a little when laying on his back. Days later, he squirms until he’s on his side. A week later he’s twisting his whole body, determined to flip. And then, when he is sleeping on his stomach every time within minutes of you putting him down on his back, you don’t remember a day when he couldn’t.
And so on with sitting, standing, crawling, and walking. One Halloween you hold him in the crook of your arm to keep him warm and hold his head up, and the next you are setting him on his feet, fighting him to keep his socks on and laughing at him as he stumbles around the room looking for the next thing to throw.

No wonder babies are so popular. That first year, they spend so much time learning how to be human that they don’t have time to hold grudges, be mean, or think about what’s wrong with the world. They live in a constant state of awe and wonder at what is great about what is around them. They look at a half-empty bottle of pop and see the bubbles, hear the crinkle it makes when you squeeze it, and feel the shift of weight when you tip it. (Yesterday, Wally Ben was fully entertained for 20 minutes in the car by a nearly empty plastic coke bottle. He’d shake it, then look at me, like, did you hear that? Do you see these bubbles? Can you believe it?)

What a great time—your baby’s first year. Every stage is better than the last. Every day is a new chance to get to know who your little guy or gal is going to be. And then 365 days have gone by, and your lump is walking, and you are trying to remember if you lived before you knew him, and you know the answer is yes, but you’re just not quite sure how."

  Wesley joined our family a year ago, and it has been the best year of my life.  He brings so much joy and happiness to our family, it is indescribable.  Here are a few pictures from the last 12 months:

Wes has turned into quite a little ham.  He loves to get a good laugh out of anyone who will look his way, and he ALWAYS has a smile for everyone.
Things about Wes:
He snorts when he laughs
His daddy is his favorite person on the planet, by a wide margin
He is so easygoing and calm
He started throwing tantrums- but he gets over them as quickly as they start (they are hilarious!)
He likes toys that make noises
He says, "uh-oh, oh-no", mama, dada, nana, ah-dun (all done), and ooohhh
He has chewed off all the finish on the edges of his crib
He likes to bite
His mama stopped nursing him at 10 months old
He LOVES Kozy Shack rice pudding
   and oreos
He chucks his bottle as far as he can when the milk is gone
He crawls on carpet, when the carpet ends (tile starts) he does the bear crawl
He loves his glowworm and music seahorse, they help him sleep at night
He didn't sleep through the night until 9 months old!
He'll slap you in the face if he doesn't want you that close to him
He will crawl around doing his own thing for over an hour, totally content
He likes to eat paper
He licks something electrical and shuts his fingers in drawers almost everyday
If you yell something to someone upstairs in the house, he'll yell something too
He doesn't mind water being poured over his head
He is great on road trips, almost zero crying every time
He can take knobs off of drawers
I love him more than words can say...  He is one cool cat.
Happy Birthday Wes, I love you!

Ethan's Frog Quilt

So I've been working on this one for like, forever.  It started as a "I'll throw this one together for Ethan's birthday" quilt, and turned into "well, I'll finish it for Christmas" quilt.  Seriously, the concept is the simplest of all the quilts I've ever made.  Take a duvet, cut it, applique something on top, add batting, quilt, and bind.  Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.  Except not.
I cut it, appliqued- simple!  Then I decided to quilt it in cocentric circles to mimic water.  In no time I had half the quilt done, it looked great!  Until you turned it over.  Pucker city.
Long story short, it took me months to finish picking it out.
This time I quilted it in straight lines.  Today I finished binding it.  Done.  phew.

The Many Costumes of 2010