Ahgoo…
by Laurie Isop
Ahgoo…
Ah, those precious first words! The first sounds our child makes that stir something primal within us: the realization that this wonderful little creature can communicate! And isn’t it wonderful when their eyes light up at the sound of classic words that rhyme? You can almost feel their anticipation as the first phrase hangs in the air, and the relief and feel-good satisfaction that come when the rhyme is complete. As parents we elevate our voices and change the dynamic of the story to enhance the rhyme. We build our children up, tease them with words and sounds, then let them revel in the satisfaction that comes when Cat meets Hat.
I’ve read it’s vital to growing brains to experience anticipation and reward, and rhyming stories are one of the best ways to accomplish this, all while fostering a love of books and reading right out of the gate. When my own children were very young I began writing stories for them on a word-processor, using clip-art for illustrations and making my children the main character in the story. That was 12+ years ago and I still love to write for kids, even though now I have swarthy
teenage boys!
In the spring of 2009 my sister came across a contest for unpublished children’s authors and suggested I enter it. I’d been dabbling around in the children’s market for awhile and had sent off several stories to various editors with no success. The idea for How Do You Hug a Porcupine? came from a family dinner-table discussion about difficult people and how we can
love and embrace those that challenge us throughout life (the porcupines!) After about three minutes I knew I had my story idea, but rather than make it about people I would frame it around animals…and one intense challenge: How do you hug the seemingly impossible-to-hug porcupine? And of course, it would have to rhyme!
I spent the better part of three months tweaking the rhymes and swapping all sorts of critters in and out of the story. Twenty-plus revisions later and with the entry deadline looming I decided it was time to call the project finished and submit it. Pressing the “Enter” key was never more nerve-wracking or satisfying! Suddenly I had time on my hands. Laundry got done, meals were once again cooked from scratch, I showered…
The judges were to decide the grand-prize winner and finalists by October 15, 2009. A week came and went and beyond the 15th and I pretty much forgot about the contest and figured I hadn’t made the top three. That is, until the phone rang.
October 24th found me giddy with laughter and tears of joy as I was told the most amazing news:
my story had won the contest, would be featured inside 3 million boxes of Cheerios cereal, and would be published in hardcover by Simon & Schuster, the name in children’s publishing!
For once, the girl with all the words was speechless.
General Mills announced my big win in March of 2010, and by Christmas that year I had copies of my book in hand. The in-box version his store shelves nation-wide this past spring, and the hardcover copies are available in stores and online as of July 26th this year. I’ve had the best time of my life and learned so much about the publishing industry along the way.
People often ask me what advice I have for aspiring authors. I tell them to write what they are passionate about because that passion will show on the page. Write what you know. Read the kind of work you would like to write. Most importantly, especially for children’s authors, read to your intended audience. Watch their eyes. Are they riveted, or are their eyes wandering around the room and their fingers fidgeting. I read my story to moms, kids, friends; even the
unsuspecting UPS guy, all of whom gave me valuable feedback and suggestions.
Good luck, keep at it, and write because you love it.
***
Find Laurie on-line at: http://www.studio6now.com/ and on Twitter @studio6now please read my review of her book How Do You Hug a Porcupine? here: http://ahgooreview.com/2011/07/hug-porcupine/
I would also suggest following @GeneralMills for their latest information and updates.
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