BREAKING OUT! Going FAR enough with Patti Gauch by Kim Briggs

In May at our SCBWI EPA Pocono Retreat, I had the opportunity to meet, listen to, and work with the amazing and larger than life Patti Gauch.

She looks innocent enough. Kind. Friendly. A Mild-mannered woman who dispenses advice topped with chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and a cherry on top. HA! HA! HA! HA!

Patti radiates energy. Mention books and writing and she ignites with a fire that burns brighter than a thousand suns.

She points her finger at you, the writer, and ORDERS you to BREAK OUT of your everyday writing habits and storylines and ask yourself, have you GONE FAR ENOUGH? Have you left your comfortable broken-in sofa and worn-out throw pillows far behind? Have you reached deep down inside and ripped out that gut-wrenching tale that makes you cry and laugh and sing?

Patti inspires. Patti points. Patti is not afraid to get in your face and let you know that you need to BREAK OUT, and only when you've gone FAR, FAR, FAR past your comfort level will you discover the extraordinary story only you can tell.

So, go BREAK OUT! Go FAR and Write on.

And Remember, when Patti points that finger at you--you listen.

Kim

Comments

FIRST SNOW by Bomi Park: Classroom Activity and Review

Dear Kim, Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! We had fun with Bomi Park's gorgeous FIRST SNOW last week. We used the book as a mentor text to explore personal narratives and poetry. We also explored watercolor resist techniques. (We also made a mess-- which is kind of my modus operandi during writing workshop. Sorry, Kelley! ) I used the sentence starter from the jacket copy: Look up. One flake falls, then another. And just like that—it's __ __ __ __ __ __ __ . The kids worked cooperatively at their table groups to discuss what word might fill in the blank. I love hearing them chat. "Well it is a snowflake because 'one flake'." Followed by: "No. It has seven letters, snowflake has nine." And: "It is an action. A-- what's that called-- a verb because it is something falling." Eventually we filled in the blank by using spelling clues to check our thinking, which might not sound like a whole lot of fun, but spell...

Bookishly Ever After by Isabel Bandeira Book Launch Party

Looking for something fun to do on this rainy day? Our SCBWI EPA adopted member Isabel Bandeira (whom we all affectionately know as Carli) will be at the Barnes and Noble in Marlton, NJ today between 1-3 for her VERY FIRST Book Signing!! WOO HOO!! Her YA contemporary, Bookishly Ever After is a fun read about romance and love and book boyfriends and real boyfriends! Come down, get your book signed with with Carli and hang out with me! Hope to see you there! Write on, Kim Briggs

SCBWIEPA Pocono Highlights #2: Get into Character

Dear Alison, I am a closet illustrator. I admire illustrators' ability to capture a moment, a feeling, a thought, an action in a single illustration. I even went to Zachariah OHora's Illustrator Session (I'll talk about that session another time) in hopes that I could glean some of his creative genius. I was so inspired I decided to create a post through pictures. So here goes... The Pocono Retreat 2016 was all about character and we kicked off the weekend Friday night with a costume party... Willowdean, Bellatrix and Max Quacks, Ducktective AKA Alison, Kim, and Donna Opal from Because of Winn-Dixie AKA Susan North Belle AKA Phoebe AKA Author Isabel Bandeira and Val Jones, Author of Who Wants Broccoli Dana Kramaroff Sophie from Sophie's Squash AKA Virginia Law Manning Strider from Lord of the Rings AKA Wes Loder Sophie from Sophie's Masterpiece AKA Chrissa Pederson Harold's Purple Crayon AKA Andree Santini Ano...

INK Sisters Write

Search This Blog