tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934041490878801751.post3685347812513808274..comments2024-03-17T12:30:03.009-05:00Comments on Teaching Authors--6 Children's Authors Who Also Teach Writing: MORE THAN ENOUGH (behind-the-scenes) ~ A Passover StoryCarmela Martinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15543808551988338496noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934041490878801751.post-77686021776464687472016-03-31T21:27:15.639-05:002016-03-31T21:27:15.639-05:00Jan ~ yes...I do think the hike story will be recy...Jan ~ yes...I do think the hike story will be recycled and come up kicking ~ thanks!<br /><br />Jane ~ I'm amazed at how this telling has hit a nerve for so many fellows as we trudge the road together to happy editing! <br /><br />Sandy ~ You've put it so well...it's in line with that line, "be careful what you wish for"...<br /><br />Chana ~ I can't wait to share it at Passover, too!!April Halprin Waylandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128192997917583478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934041490878801751.post-26185770870054471592016-03-31T21:17:55.991-05:002016-03-31T21:17:55.991-05:00I will be thinking of you (and your book) while I&...I will be thinking of you (and your book) while I'm humming Dayenu in my sleep! Thank you for sharing your revision story. I'm going through something similar now and I'm so happy to see your success. Can't wait to share your book with the little people at my seder.Chanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10402570468596510351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934041490878801751.post-8091866409849733732016-03-31T12:56:21.519-05:002016-03-31T12:56:21.519-05:00The book itself is a charmer, but your story about...The book itself is a charmer, but your story about its inspiration and transformation are utterly inspiring. I've spent a long writing life feeling that the best thing I'd ver wish for would be having an editor who helped my work improve. Dayenu. Now that it has actually happened to me I know all too well the frustration of having an editor both love and re-envision the work. It's painful to consider letting those special elements go, and join your case it was a never-ending string of changes. Kudos to your editor for handling the requests in manageable bites, and to you for trusting and exploring. <br />Can't wait for its release, and your SCBWI- launch pages are delightful! Congratulations.<br />SandySandy Brehlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02073122273951186418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934041490878801751.post-6278003794815079802016-03-31T09:20:43.332-05:002016-03-31T09:20:43.332-05:00April, Thank you for sharing this amazing journey ...April, Thank you for sharing this amazing journey to publication. It is very instructive. Congratulations on your new book!!Jane Heitman Healyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03584630141388764779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934041490878801751.post-60535697031871277552016-03-23T16:09:48.760-05:002016-03-23T16:09:48.760-05:00April, Hello.
Perhaps that dreamy hike that lifted...April, Hello.<br />Perhaps that dreamy hike that lifted you into lovely storytelling,<br />poem making bliss will appear in another work? <br />This is so generous of you + your team to share the process of a gifted writer who trusts her discerning editor + agent's intuitive editing/coaching. Would love to read this book in school. <br />Will look for it. Brava!jan godown anninohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00091996699597066230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934041490878801751.post-12482931999223461842016-03-23T16:03:48.475-05:002016-03-23T16:03:48.475-05:00Damon Dean ~ hank you for your comment. This story...Damon Dean ~ hank you for your comment. This story is something I clearly backed into...reluctantly. As now that I've had a chance to run it by audiences, I have to admit, I'm liking the book...and the age group. Who knew?April Halprin Waylandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128192997917583478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934041490878801751.post-55564037473141934682016-03-22T10:20:48.642-05:002016-03-22T10:20:48.642-05:00April, what a wonderful story about the growth and...April, what a wonderful story about the growth and development of this beautiful book! Five years in the making...that's a long labor of love. Thanks for sharing your encouraging tale and giving the world this wonder.Damon Deanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07782134281754572820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934041490878801751.post-38393325030737685832016-03-20T19:14:04.436-05:002016-03-20T19:14:04.436-05:00Irene ~ I'd forgotten I told you this story ar...Irene ~ I'd forgotten I told you this story around the "campfire!"<br /><br />Jama ~ Yes, yes--Kauai is one of our favorite places in all the world...except, of course, on your blog sitting next to Mr. Cornelius.<br /><br />Carmela ~ Thank you. I look at this foreign story in wonder. WHO wrote it?!?!<br /><br />Linda B ~ I HAVE kept the original story...and have started to make it into a playlet for the Jewish Women's Theater. (Started, not completed...)<br /><br />Rachel ~ Love your web name...my son's in Australia! <br /><br />Joy and Laura Salas ~ Yes, so many compromises...and this book is selling faster than any of my other books. An interesting lesson.<br /><br />Kristi ~ Thank you!<br /><br />Laura Shovan ~ Yes...isn't that a huge part of what we model to kids when we speak in schools...revision? And yet sometimes I have to be dragged to the next draft!<br /><br />Carol and Violet ~ it wasn't my publicist but my editor who requested the changes. She has a fine eye and ear, and luckily I trusted her. <br /><br />Violet ~ I don't think she had anything in particular from the beginning. But...hmmm...not you've got me wondering...<br /><br />CS ~ Ha! You're right--I hadn't thought to be grateful for revision. You've made me see it in a new light. Thank you.<br /><br />Margaret ~ Thanks for your support. Writers get it!<br /><br />Namesake ~ Love your poem! I hope you get to take it home!<br /><br />Molly ~ I thought about that blonde boy, too. Of course it was the illustrator, Katie Kath, who created him. But I had a blonde boy, too...(now all grown up, and his blonde turned brown!)<br /><br />Charles ~ Thank you.Yes, we all go through this. I'm glad my editor stuck with me. It's nice to have a new book published!<br /><br />Brenda ~ interesting observation about stories close to home (and heart). Thank you.<br /><br />Robyn. You, too, heard this backstory before...and I'm grateful for buds like you. <3<br /><br />Susan ~ Thank you! I like your succinct comment!<br /><br />Jarm ~ My pleasure. It was good to have a vessel in which to spill the backstory. <br /><br />Michelle ~ Thank you so much. Truly.<br /><br />Esther! I'm OVER THE MOON that this book was noticed by the NY Times!!!!! They've never even whispered my name before! Thanks for putting the link in your comment! <3<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />April Halprin Waylandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128192997917583478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934041490878801751.post-35235654564187732692016-03-18T10:28:42.013-05:002016-03-18T10:28:42.013-05:00Thank you, April, for sharing the story behind thi...Thank you, April, for sharing the story behind this beautiful story, as well as introducing us to your illustrator and book designer.<br />Each post would have been more than enough. :)<br />Speaking of which, here's another "dayenu" - your New York Times Book Review! http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/03/15/books/review/15bookshelf-holy-days.html<br /><br />Mazel tov! Mazel tov!<br />Esther Hershenhornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12016897434029543881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934041490878801751.post-50919861696475131272016-03-13T19:34:18.760-05:002016-03-13T19:34:18.760-05:00Congratulations, April! What an adventure this &qu...Congratulations, April! What an adventure this "it would have been enough" journey has taken you on! I'm glad you kept the faith.Michelle Heidenrich Barneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02051827857519159837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934041490878801751.post-29352886324887925102016-03-13T17:47:22.906-05:002016-03-13T17:47:22.906-05:00That's quite a story, April. . .thanks for sha...That's quite a story, April. . .thanks for sharing your 'over hill and dale' journey with us!Jarm Del Bocciohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16734893974122730211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934041490878801751.post-16087470121838452892016-03-12T22:22:08.217-06:002016-03-12T22:22:08.217-06:00I love this post. I see your journey. Thank you fo...I love this post. I see your journey. Thank you for sharing it.<br />The baby book sounds and looks wonderful.Susan B Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10752641433121011158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934041490878801751.post-78610692674447391332016-03-12T21:36:09.595-06:002016-03-12T21:36:09.595-06:00Yay! It's here! (Well, the copy I ordered wil...Yay! It's here! (Well, the copy I ordered will be here at my house this week at any rate.) I am so thankful for YOU, Dear April - your generous, glowing spirit and your talent and your stick-to-it-iveness, among other things. Congrats to you and Katie Kath, and thanks for sharing how this book came to be. XORobyn Hood Blackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07279289715664168026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934041490878801751.post-89790604830738506012016-03-12T17:34:41.840-06:002016-03-12T17:34:41.840-06:00I love the backstory, and how it reveals your resi...I love the backstory, and how it reveals your resilience as a writer. I like the hike part of the story because I like hiking with my family. Yet, your story inspired me to remember than even though vacations provide such exotic ideas that stories close to home are often the best received. Brenda at FriendlyFairyTaleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13368709489341876324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934041490878801751.post-76542420408232138192016-03-12T13:48:36.337-06:002016-03-12T13:48:36.337-06:00And that's the revision process that so many h...And that's the revision process that so many hardworking writers go through. What persistence. In the end, that's all we have. A great food for thought post.Charles Watershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18336052424127127605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934041490878801751.post-1391003965855995702016-03-12T08:10:00.392-06:002016-03-12T08:10:00.392-06:00This books looks so cute! I also love that you hav...This books looks so cute! I also love that you have a little blonde boy on the cover -- just like mine. Hard to find Jewish books with images like him on them.molly pitcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13290915461325115050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934041490878801751.post-91818314575199709542016-03-12T07:47:33.935-06:002016-03-12T07:47:33.935-06:00Congratulations! Very revealing backstory. Do you ...Congratulations! Very revealing backstory. Do you think your agent had her image of your book from the beginning and talked you into it step by step? Or did the concept evolve with the various drafts? Fascinating. (And I love the video with the sweet little girl.)Violet N.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16586574800230604652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934041490878801751.post-4511882835836188022016-03-12T07:01:07.564-06:002016-03-12T07:01:07.564-06:00It would be great to have a look
At this amazing b...It would be great to have a look<br />At this amazing book!<br />But to hold it in my hand<br />Would be oh so grand!<br />DayenuShirinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04855206295906269187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934041490878801751.post-15055692261079885992016-03-11T21:53:15.049-06:002016-03-11T21:53:15.049-06:00I love hearing the original story behind the idea ...I love hearing the original story behind the idea that grows into this new book. Kudos to you for sticking with the process. Margaret Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04434866104385187658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934041490878801751.post-20764349982064255422016-03-11T21:25:20.771-06:002016-03-11T21:25:20.771-06:00Ah, revision, revision, revision. I suppose we mus...Ah, revision, revision, revision. I suppose we must also feel gratitude for revision.<br />Congrats.CS Perryesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03086127005229652995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934041490878801751.post-72113564389972038712016-03-11T20:42:15.596-06:002016-03-11T20:42:15.596-06:00April, I was fascinated by your backstory. I did l...April, I was fascinated by your backstory. I did like the first version of your story because it made me think about the sequential storyline. The second version is what your publicist wanted and it does justice to your rewrite process. Kudos to you. Being grateful is an important concept to bring to the minds of little ones and to the adults who read the story to them. Everything about this post was wonderful. Thank you. Carol Varsalonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02589714711155938528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934041490878801751.post-1011514601188315492016-03-11T17:25:48.066-06:002016-03-11T17:25:48.066-06:00Hi, April. Thanks for sharing all of these insight...Hi, April. Thanks for sharing all of these insights into your writing process. I'm working with third graders right now and they find it fascinating that authors do so many revisions -- much more than a rough draft and a final draft.<br /><br />The idea of "blessings of the moment" is beautiful. I'm going to carry that with me into the weekend.author amokhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09800868615186010584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934041490878801751.post-41937429318861376772016-03-11T14:16:46.728-06:002016-03-11T14:16:46.728-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12096812798403971108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934041490878801751.post-44262757590003100982016-03-11T14:01:39.777-06:002016-03-11T14:01:39.777-06:00Oh my, what a behind-the-scenes story! Congratulat...Oh my, what a behind-the-scenes story! Congratulations on your beautiful book! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12096812798403971108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934041490878801751.post-129389641530844062016-03-11T13:07:36.997-06:002016-03-11T13:07:36.997-06:00Thank you for sharing your book journey. So often,...Thank you for sharing your book journey. So often, manuscripts morph into something totally new as we collaborate with editor or (via editor) the illustrator. I'm sure the book is perfect as it is, but when we know what it was, it's hard, sometimes. I can't wait to read it--it's just a lovely and peaceful concept. Congratulations and hugs, April!laurasalashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13807781795919555208noreply@blogger.com