Rough drafts and openings

I believe rough drafts should be exactly that-rough.  You just want your idea to go from head to paper.  That's quite a trick in and of itself- to put words to the images that appear in your mind, to somehow wrestle all of that action onto a still, piece of paper.  So, my advice is always to just write it.  It will be bad-very bad- but it's a rough draft and it's supposed to be bad.  You can fix it once it's on the paper.

I do try to follow my own advice.  But for me the beginnings are different.  The opening line and beginning paragraph have to be perfect.  I can spend weeks, and in the case of this winter, months writing that opening paragraph.  Why is that? 

I think the opening paragraph sets the tone.  However the language flows in the beginning is how it will flow throughout the story.  The voice must be clear, and until that voice is firmly and distinctly established in the opening paragraph, it's difficult for me to proceed to the story.  Now, once I have that opening paragraph in place complete with tone and voice, I can dash off the rest of the story in its roughest form, knowing that I'll go back and rewrite it many, many times. 

The beginning paragraph is like a key to a secret gate.  You have to spend time finding exactly the right key, and once you turn it in the lock, you can step through the gate and discover what's behind the wall. 

I'm going to be speaking at a really fun event on Tuesday, May 14th.  

Wisconsin Women Write for Children

Come for desserts and coffee in a beautiful historic mansion.
The Woman’s Club of Wisconsin is the setting for this presentation.
 

Writers include:  Carole Barrowman, Ann Bausum, Lois Ehlert, Janet Halfmann,

Barbara Joosse, JoAnn Early Macken, Lisa Moser

Where:
The Woman’s Club of Wisconsin

813 East Kilbourn Avenue

Milwaukee, WI 53202
(Free valet parking available)

When:
Tuesday May 14th
Doors open at 6:00 pm
Program is from 6:30-8:30 pm

Registration:
Registration fee is $15, with $5 for students.
Registration deadline is April 28th
Jstewig@carthage.edu           or   262-552-5480

Hi All,
Really fun news- Candlewick Press is celebrating The Year of the Picture Book. Authors, illustrators, librarians, children, and teachers are featured on a daily video describing why they love picture books. February 18th was my turn to share my love for picture books. If you want to see the clip, go to www.readingstartshere.com and look on the Feb. 18th date.
Hooray for the picture book!

I am so grateful that Railroad Hank has been featured in many wonderful blogs. Here is a list of the ones I know of so far:

Beautiful Books for Children
http://www.beautifulbooksforchildren.com/new-release-railroad-hank-by-lisa-moser

The...

Review Stew
http://www.thereviewstew.com/2012/08/RailroadHank.html

There's A Book
Review: http://www.theresabook.com/2012/09/book-review-railroad-hank-by-lisa-moser-and-benji-davies/

Interview: http://www.theresabook.com/2012/09/author-interview-20-questions-with-lisa-moser/

Open Hands
http://openhands31.blogspot.com/2012/08/railroad-hank-reviewgiveaway.html

I Heart Motherhood
http://iheart-motherhood.blogspot.com/2012/09/railroad-hank-review-and-giveaway.html

What some fun ideas for children to do when they finish reading Railroad Hank? Check out this absolutely delightful blog.

http://www.beautifulbooksforchildren.com/new-release-railroad-hank-by-lisa-moser

It's the release day for Railroad Hank! He's chugging down the track even as we speak. Had the fun opportunity to do a wonderful interview on a blog www.theresabook.com Here are the links.

Review: http://www.theresabook.com/2012/09/book-review-railroad-hank-by-lisa-moser-and-benji-davies/

Interview: http://www.theresabook.com/2012/09/author-interview-20-questions-with-lisa-moser/

Chugga-chugga, chugga-chugga.  Woo!  Woo!  Woo!

My new picture book, Railroad Hank, will be released on September 25th!  It's the story of lovable Railroad Hank and his fine little train who are going up the mountain to visit Granny Bett.  Along the way, Railroad Hank stops to talk to all of his friends and they offer to send something to cheer up Granny Bett.  Missy May offers some eggs, but Railroad Hank takes the hens.  Country Carl offers some milk, but Railroad Hank takes the cows.  In the end, Railroad Hank takes a crazy load of mixed-up cargo which is just the thing that Granny Bett needs. 

Children will giggle and laugh at all of the twists and turns in this old-fashioned type of story.  And best yet, they will see what real friendship brings to the lives of others.