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Cathy C. Hallhttps://cathychall.wordpress.com/I write, write, write. Then I rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. THEN I submit all those polished-up words out into the world and sell 'em. It's a plan that's worked pretty well.

Finding Something Friday on Penguin (the Publisher, not the Animal)

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You know a company is serious about everybody pulling his or her weight when the CEO gets in on the act.

I read today that David Shanks, CEO of Penguin Groups, USA, has written a song AND performs the song on the newly created website From the Publisher’s Office.

Well, I’m impressed. A. Because I didn’t know David Shanks could sing (To be honest, I don’t know David Shanks, period. But I do know he’s a CEO, and I don’t know of any other singing CEO’s). And B. Because here’s a guy who’s willing to get down in the trenches (okay, they’re writing trenches, which aren’t all that hardcore, but I’m going for a principle here), with all those other Penguin people and do his part for his publishing business’s new venture. And C. Because it’s not a bad little song (The ditty opens the Penguin Storytime). I mean, you can’t dance to it, but I snapped my fingers once.

So, what with all the singing and the trailers and the reading and the interviews and the storytime, and I don’t know what all more floating around over at the Penguin Publisher’s Office, you should learn a little something-something about the publishing business.

Here’s what I learned: Everybody wants to be a rock star. Even CEO’s.

Finding a Keeper at Unexpected Moments

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DSC00369This week, I’m vacationing at the beach. All around me, all the time, I see kids. What a great opportunity!

The thing is, for those of us who write for children, it’s important to every once in a while, get out among children. Listen to their funny, little speech patterns. Watch how they play.  Just take in the whole experience.

And the next time you sit down to write, call upon those memories of unexpected moments to give your work authenticity.

Oh, and here’s one more tip: write a few things down. It gets harder and harder to remember those unexpected moments the older you get!