Welcome to
RhyPiBoMo 2015 Day 19
Rene’ Diane Aube
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Today’s guest blogger is a new writer friend I made via Facebook! I was browsing one evening and came across the picture of her storyboard that she had made and I loved it! I immediately messaged her, told her who I was, what RhyPiBoMo was and asked if she would be a guest blogger…she said, “Are you sure you want me?” I said, “Absolutely! RhyPiBoMo is about sharing ideas to help us all get better at what we do.” I was so impressed that she took Sudipta’s class, made her storyboard and then shared it with others…so nice and really what this virtual writing community is about!
I am so happy
to introduce
Rene’ Diane Aube
RD
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When I posted the picture of my FINALLY-finished storyboard on Meg Miller’s ReviMo Facebook page in February, I never dreamt it would lead to my first invitation as a guest blogger. I was simply excited to get ‘er done! But, lo and behold, Angie fell in love with it and…well…here it goes!
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When I designed the board, I was engrossed in one of Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen’s writing classes. I decided to draw her format onto my board to re-inforce what I had been learning. (You can find out more about her classes at http://www.kidlitwritingschool.com. Be sure to check out her website, too, http://www.sudipta.com ).
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I chose red marker to outline spreads representing end matter. You know, where those adorable and sometimes funny illustrations appear to get you excited about the book? You also find the title page, publisher’s page, and author’s dedications on these pages. Red = Story text does not appear here. *Please note: Since designing my board, I have noticed many books with the publisher’s page at the end of the book.*
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Spreads outlined in blue represent your “Proposition.” Text begins on these pages. Your main character is introduced, his/her conflict, and attempts to solve them. Do the main character’s attempts escalate? Is there enough action? Blue = Flow of text.
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Orange spreads represent the height of your climax, or “Volta” ~ where your main character has a change of heart/learns something. He/she resolves the problem. Do you have enough? Can your illustrator fill the pages with fabulous fanfare? How is your word count? Orange = Hot and distinguishable conclusion.
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The curved line represents “Story Arc.” Where does your climax appear? Do you have enough text/resolution attempts? Does resolution come quickly and have a satisfying end?
When I storyboard, I use sticky notes. I seek answers to the questions above. I have a lot to learn about storyboarding for pacing and page turns, but, hey, it’s early in my writing journey.
Just for fun and demonstrative purposes, I storyboarded my first published story, “Jesus Changes Everything” from the September 2014 issue of THE KIDS ARK magazine. I excluded visual descriptions since I was pretending it was a picture book.
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May storyboarding catapult you closer to publication. Happy boarding
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Here are step – by – step directions for my Story Book Board Dummy. By all means, alter them to suit YOUR time/tastes/needs/space.
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Materials:
23″ X 35″ Wood framed bulletin board *mine was a homeschooling left over*
Acrylic crafting paint
Paint glitter *sold in Lowe’s paint department*
White paper *I used printer*
1” Decorative tape
Old fashioned letter stencils *yup ~ the kind you trace around and cut out*
Construction paper AND cardboard *Fancy Feast cat food cardboard worked well*
Ruler/yardstick
Pencil/Markers
Glue stick AND 527 crafting glue
Regular Glitter
Stapler
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1. Mix paint glitter with paint
2. Paint bulletin board frame ~ let dry
3. Staple paper over cork
4. Divide/draw a grid: 4 rectangles down by 8 across…mine are not even, but I’m sure you will do MUCH better 🙂
5. Using markers, draw over grid lines to mark out the END PAGES, PROPOSITION, and RESOLUTION of your story.
6. Label FRONT MATTER, SPREAD and PAGE NUMBERS, and END page
7. Add the STORY ARC
8. Apply decorative tape
9. Make letters and decorate them to your heart’s content. *I made them by hand because I didn’t want to go out and buy ready-made ones.*
10. Glue letters to your board with 527. *I tried the 3M double-sided sticky squares with only construction paper letters only to discover they didn’t hold up in humidity ~ thus duplicating the letters with cardboard and gluing them together.*
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Like I said, there are a LOT of variations that would make this process far easier. JUST HAVE FUN! And don’t be afraid to tie it in with that manuscript of your heart, I did!
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About Rene’:
Rene` Diane Aube is wife to Chuck, mother to Michael, Joel, and Kevin, and grandmother of four whom she affectionately calls “grandies.” Oh, yes, and too many cats and one fabulous horse! Her long-dreamed-of writing journey began her fiftieth year, 2011, as she and hubby bickered over renovations on a vintage camper. After overcoming some fears and insecurities ~ well, somewhat ~ she plunged into and completed several writing courses including the Institute of Children’s Literature and Susanna Leonard Hill’s “Making Picture Book Magic.” She was rewarded with her first publication in September 2014 in THE KIDS ARK magazine, Volume 8/Issue 3. Polishing picture book manuscripts, devouring the overwhelming world of publishing, and studying in on-line writers’ groups/challenges like Meg Miller’s “Word By Word,” Carrie Charley Brown’s “ReFoReMo,” and, of course, Angie Karcher’s “RhyPiBoMo” keep her brain bubbling after grandies are tucked into bed. She is a member of SCBWI and Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 Challenge as a Little Golden Book participant.*
RhyPiBoMo 2015 Optional Writing Prompt: 19
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This is NOT part of the pledge. It is an option for a writing exercise for those interested. You will not publically share this as part of RhyPiBoMo but may keep a journal of your writing this month for your own review.
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Today’s writing prompt is more of a craft project…to create your own reusable story board! This is a bit time consuming but will last you for years and will help your writing soar!!! DO IT!!!
For example:
This is my story board I made after I saw Diane’s on Facebook. I think it took me about 2 hours to make mine from start to finish. I was using it within the third hour and I LOVE IT!!!
I made my storyboard from an unused bulletin board. I glued burlap on the back and ribbon inside the frame. The burlap is nice because you don’t see holes from the pushpins as you do with a paper background ~ which make me crazy for some reason.
This is how I folded the corners and stapled it with a staple gun.
I put pushpins around the edge to hold ribbon dividers.
This is the thin ribbon that I used to create the grid. Sorry this is blurry!
The vertical lines…the nice thing about pushpins and ribbon is you can change your grid configuration if you need to.
The finished product ready for Post-its with text on them!
I will share the one with the Post-its tomorrow as my brother is visiting and asleep in my guest room/office. And, I can’t go take a picture! AcK! Look for it soon!
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It’s “Friday Favorites” day again!
Today is the day that I ask you to choose one of the rhyming picture books that you read this week as part of the challenge and share it with the world. Post a picture of it on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.) and a link to the authors blog, a link to a book store or a link to anywhere people can find it and buy it. This is the day we celebrate all the wonderful rhyming picture books out in the world already! These authors are our heroes and heroines. We should celebrate the hard work it took them to get to publication! We should buy these books ourselves if we can and share them with friends and family.
Now is the time to promote great rhyme!
I was thrilled that so many of you shared your favorite rhyming picture books last Friday! Thank you! See if we can post even more today!
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What if you are not on social media?
That is no problem. Just share titles with friends, family, teachers, librarians, book store owners…anyone who will listen. Word of mouth is very powerful! Go to a book store and ask for a specific title. If they don’t have it ask them to order it. You can certainly do our part without social media!
It would be great if you would also add the link to my blog so folks can see what we are doing here.
Here’s the link:
https://angiekarcher.wordpress.com/2015/04/02/rhypibomo-2015-day-2-nikki-grimes/?preview=true&preview_id=3722&preview_nonce=51465bf1a5&post_format=aside
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Golden Quill Poetry Contest
The Golden Quill Poetry Contest is open for submissions.
The deadline is this Saturday, April 25th midnight Central Time.
And…did I mention the prizes?
1st place – A Manuscript Critique by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
2nd place – A Scholarship for Non-Fiction Archeology by Kristen Fulton
3rd place – A Scholarship for Pacing Picture Books to WOW! Class by Agent Jodell Sadler
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PLEASE make sure you read the contest rules and follow them exactly. Unfortunately, due to the number of poems we will receive, a poem will be disqualified if it does not follow the guidelines exactly. This is only fair to those who did follow the rules and is good practice for us as writers because editors expect those guidelines to be followed to the letter.
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Contest Rules:
First and Last name included in the body of the email at the top left
Email address included in the body of the email at the top left
Phone number – top left
Space down 5 spaces
The Theme is: Freedom
Title of poem – centered with no by line or name here
8 line limit
Must be a rhyming poem
You will be judged on clever title, rhyme scheme, rhythm, scansion, perfect rhyming words, internal rhyme, alliteration, consonance, assonance, onomatopoeia, and clever ending.
Email poems to Angiekarcherrpbm@gmail.com
by April 25th midnight central time
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Do you enjoy writing rhyming picture books?
Do you find rhyme challenging?
Do you want to pep up your prose with poetic techniques?
Then this is the class for you!
Writing in Rhyme to WOW! is a 4 week course,
M-F with daily lessons, writing prompts, rhyme journaling, creating tools you will use, group poetry readings, webinars and critique groups, and a one-on-one webinar critique with Angie.
Each class begins on the first Monday of the month and the weekly group webinars are on Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. Central Standard Time, (Chicago Time) or at a time that best suits the group due to time zones of those involved.
I am beginning to sign people up for June and July!
If you register now for June or July, I will give you the $99.00 price!
Contact Angie with questions.
Sign up now before the classes are full!
Click here for more information!
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Need a Rhyming Picture Book Critique?
Angie offers
rhyming picture book and poetry manuscript critiques.
A One Time critique is ($25.00) or a Twice Look critique is ($35.00)
See the tab above or click here for more information.
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RhyPiBoMo Gift Shop is Open!
http://www.cafepress.com/rhypibomogiftshop
Please stop by and see what’s available this year. There are notebooks, mugs, buttons and more. All proceeds will go to WE NEED DIVERSE BOOKS!
Thank you Tanja Bauerle for these gorgeous images!!!
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Official RhyPiBoMo 2015 Registration ended on April 8th.
If you are not officially registered you will not be able to participate in the Golden Quill Poetry Contest, in Rhyming Critique Groups or will not be eligible for daily prizes.
To see if you registered in time go to the Master Registration List on the drop down menu under the RhyPiBoMo Blog tab above.
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Angie Karcher 
Rene, When I first saw your storyboard on your Facebook postings, I was impressed. Today’s explanation of your style and technique made it all the more wonderful. Thank you for sharing. – Judy Rubin
Thank you, Judy 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed the post
Hey Rene! Excellent post. Thanks for sha ring board and instructions. It is truly a work of art. Maria Marshall
Thank you, Maria! It was fun to make and inspires me to story board 🙂
This is certainly the challenging part for me, as I am a writer and not an illustrator. I have been trying to analyze my stanzas. The very visual technique demonstrated here looks a lot more thorough than what I do.
I find it challenging, too, Stephanie, and can’t illustrate to save my life. I find this really helps me recognize where I’m text heavy and where I should switch things up a bit to give that “can’t wait to turn the page” feeling to readers.
Fantastic, fun, and useful! Can’t wait to make my own!
Have fun, Rebecca! And thank you, glad you found it useful. 🙂
Elaine Hillson – A great post Rene and a great project for the weekend.
Thank you, Elaine 🙂 Enjoy your creative weekend coming up!
neat project. Thanks for sharing.
You are very welcome, Linda…thank YOU! 🙂
Linda Schueler: Great storyboards!
Thank you, Linda 🙂
Oooh, those ideas are intriguing, and you’ve given us great instructions. Must try this. Good luck on your budding career! Sherri Jones Rivers
I’m glad you’re going to give it a try, Sherri 🙂 And thanks for the well wishes for my writing journey.
Love it — the visual puts the story into words in a way we can see it differently. Thanks, Rene’. Val McCammon
You are so welcome, Val 🙂 It really does help, too! Enjoy
Thank you Rene’. I love the idea of visually representing the story with the arc and am going to attempt a version of it.
Clark Haaland
You’re welcome, Clark 🙂 I’m glad you found something new to try! Enjoy!
Mary Warth
Thanks Rene for a fun way to start off Friday.
You are very welcome, Mary. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the post.
Great idea. Thanks for sharing the process!
Daryl Gottier
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Daryl 🙂 You are very welcome.
Rene, saw your story board first on Meg Miller’s ReViMo. This make sit so easy to replicate. BRAVO and thanks for helping us all.
Hi Kathy, I’m so glad you found this helpful…when you are finished settling in and feeling well again, it’ll be a fun project!
Pat Haapaniemi:
What a great idea, Rene! Thanks for sharing this.
Thank YOU 🙂 Many thanks to Angie who encouraged me to share!
Rita Allmon– Thanks, Rene, for your writing inspiration! I love your heart post-its, and the heart you put into your writing.
Awww…thanks, Rita 🙂 and you are very welcome ♥
Mona Pease What a fun way to create a storyboard for fantastic stories. Thanks.
🙂 You are very welcome, Mona
Kathy Mazurowski
I love the boards! I will have to make one. My friend and I used a library table the other day to lay out our manuscript text. Fortunately, it was not busy and the librarians are big fans of our prepublished book.
Thank you, Kathy 🙂 Another wonderful thing about it is that I can’t possibly forget that process since it hangs just a couple feet to the right of my desk…no excuses for me!…well, not valid ones, anyway 🙂
Thanks for the storyboard guide. It looks great. Katie Gast
You are very welcome, Katie 🙂 and thank you!
Rachel Hamby
What a great visual, Rene! I’m thinking I might scale it down to poster board size, but I love this idea! Thx!
Poster board size is a great idea, Rachel! Have fun creating your board 🙂
Rene: Creating a storyboard is so helpful and useful to a writer. I have thought about making one. I can no longer think of an acceptable excuse as to why I should do so! Today your inspiration to do so, encourages me to do so.
Angie: Your storyboard is amazing, too.
Thank you ladies.
~Suzy Leopold
You are so welcome, Suzy. You’ve probably been busy writing your pretty little fingers off. 🙂 Glad to have inspired and encouraged you…have a blast!
Rene, thank you for sharing your process! Your post was such a delight. I wish you all the best.
Karen Nordseth Roos
Awww…thank you, Karen 🙂 for your well wishes. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post 🙂
Wow, Rene–this is wonderful! It’s so nice to have something concrete and physical to work with. Thank you for sharing this! Maria Gianferrari
You are very welcome, Maria 🙂 I’m so glad you found it useful/helpful…thank YOU!
Melanie Ellsworth – Rene, this looks like a terrific way to lay out your story. Your post dovetails well with Lori Mortensen’s post yesterday about the importance of story arc. And thanks to Angie, too, for showing us how you constructed your story board.
Thank you, Melanie 🙂 I saw Lori’s fabulous post yesterday and am so happy with how Angie arranged the posts to dovetail as they did. Love Angie’s MUCH easier way of constructing her board, too! The burlap is GENIUS! 🙂
I absolutely love this board. So much easier than folding papers. Great post!
Thank you, Sue 🙂 I A.G.R.E.E. about it being easier than folding papers for a book dummy…geesh…I don’t even want to say how long picture books would be if we had to rely on my paper folding techniques :O
Sandy Powell — Boy, you go all out! Great imagination! Thanks for the “How-to” so we can create our own storyboard.
You are very welcome for the “how-to,” Sandy…ummm…yup…I tend to go over- board often! Pun intended 🙂
Charlotte Dixon
Yay Rene! Good to see your storyboard here at RhyPiBoMo. Loved it when you first posted it and now I have the instructions for making my own. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks, Charlotte! Can’t wait to see your story board! 🙂
Joanne Sher is TOTALLY impressed with Rene”s story board (and her dedication to the craft!). Great stuff my friend – thanks!! (and give Allison a hug next time you see her)
Awww…thanks, Joanne 🙂 So glad you enjoyed it and will definitely pass your hug on to Allison.
Jill Proctor – Thank you, Rene’, for sharing your story board with us. I can see how helpful it can be. Now to make my own…
You are very welcome, Jill 🙂 Can’t wait to see your board…have a blast!
Making a dummy for my stories has been on my to-do list forever. I’m happy to report that with this example, I’m out of excuses and will put your steps to work. Thanks, Rene’!
Sarah Harroff
Yay, Sarah 🙂 Have fun making your board. Glad to be helpful 🙂
Kristi Veitenheimer – I remember seeing your board before. Thanks for taking the time to explain it today! Very helpful!
You are very welcome, Kristi 🙂 Happy to help when I can.
Rene’,
Thank you so much for sharing your dummy showing us story arcs. I really found it fascinating. Good luck with your book and books in the future. Thanks again!
Thank you, Deborah 🙂 It was great to read Lori’s post yesterday, as was mentioned above, and really focus on story arcs. Thank you for the well wishes, too 🙂
What a fabulous visual! Thanks.
You are very welcome, Kathy 🙂 and glad you enjoyed it.
I too am really impressed by your story board and I am always impressed by Sudipta! Thank you so much for sharing. Lynne Marie Pisano
Thank you, Lynne 🙂 I couldn’t have made that storyboard without Sudipta’s fabulous teaching. 🙂
Rosemary Basham
Sometimes we need a visual reminder. Thanks for finally motivating me to make a storyboard.
Yay, Rosemary! You won’t be sorry…enjoy your creativity and story boarding 🙂
Manju Howard: Thank you, Rene’, for sharing your creative story board. I’m a paper and pencil girl when it comes to story boards. Easier to carry. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the post, Manju 🙂 I can see your point about carrying that big board around…maybe I can make a case….nnaaaawwww 🙂
Patricia Corcoran—Thank you, Rene’, for breaking down all the components of the story board. That is a great help to us.
You are welcome, Patricia 🙂 I wouldn’t have known how to break it down had I not learned it from Sudipta’s teaching, the credit must go to her. I’m glad it was helpful, though.
Thank you for the storyboard idea!
Brenda Huante
You are welcome, Brenda 🙂
splendid idea. If I had a dedicated area for writing I’d make one too. Perhaps a smaller version I can tuck in my writing book?
Marla Lesage
That’s a great idea, Marla 🙂 Hope you share it when you finish 🙂
Vicki Wilke
Awesome way to visualize! Thank you!
You are very welcome, Vicki 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the post.
Lynn Alpert
I, too, took Sudipta’s class as was just referring to the handout she gave us with this info. What a fun idea to make it into a giant board!!
It’s so worth doing, Lynn 🙂 Even when I’m working on a new draft I can look at the board and see where I am in the story…very useful. Hope you share your board when you finish 🙂
Rebecca Trembula — I adore seeing detailed descriptions of what other writers do while writing / revising–thanks for sharing!
You are very welcome, Rebecca 🙂 glad you enjoyed the post.
Fantastic storyboard!
Thank you, Lori 🙂 Happy rhyming
The walls in my office are covered with sticky note book pages. I love the storyboard idea to help me remember not just order, but structure as well. Thank you for sharing!
Darlene Ivy
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post, Darlene 🙂 Sticky notes are kind of addicting, aren’t they? 🙂
Shirley Johnson- Thanks so much for sharing this. Thank you for the instructions. Great post!
You are very welcome, Shirley 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it!
Ginger Weddle- Thank you Rene’! Your post about your storyboard is very helpful!
Ginger, I’m so glad I could be helpful. You are very welcome 🙂
Jennifer McRae
Love the story board- thank you for saying yes to Angie and sharing your wonderful ideas !
Great visual. Thanks. – Marianne Gage
Ann Kelley – Wow! Thank you very much for sharing your process. It’s very helpful!
I am not only impressed with your first guest post, Rene, but also by your determination and dedication. Thank you for the inspiration! Carrie Charley Brown
Thank you for this wonderful post Rene.It’s a great idea. I was wondering what to do with those old pin boards left behind by the previous owners of my house in Lanzarote.
Heather B.Moon