Thanksgiving is this next week and I love when family gets together. We all eat too much, laugh a lot, and take naps as needed. My hope is that you all have someone with which to share the holiday and everyone has something good to eat.

NANOWRIMO has been going on all month of November but I haven't participated this year. I am working on a young-adult novel all about ghosts and evil "stuff" which I can't disclose at this time. (evil laugh)

So far I have finished all the chapter outlines, character list and in-depth descriptions of each, a list of possible red herrings as well as things that might go bump in the night. It's fun and I hope to finish by this time next year on the final draft. Keep up to date on this progress under this section of MY THOUGHTS.

Also, keep your creative side productive.
Sherry

It's been awhile since I sat down to write on my blog. The past few years have taken all my strength to push on after the deaths of my parents, two years apart, but none-the-less a long grieving period. But one of the best things that has happened during this time period is finally publishing my first picture book. 

​WIGGLY TOES is about a little girl adjusting to Kindergarten when she learns the rules about wearing shoes and socks every day, all day. You see, Tessie has a little problem. Her toes simply must stretch and wiggle periodically or she gets a little agitated. I hope you will go with her through this story and laugh at her antics and discover in the end how she handles her problem.

​Until next time,
​Sherry

WIGGLY TOES: www.amazon.com/sherryannhudson

​NANOWRIMO. Beginning November 1, through the end of the month, many will attemt to write a novel of at least 50,000 words. WHAT? That's what "National Novel Writing Month" is all about. Writers everywhere will be putting their brains into overload, cranking out a possible best seller. Some writers have been doing this for several years, and often say it is their most creative time.

I have completed three NANO's and created two YA novels, which are under rewrites now. It is an intense effort to create a draft that may be a possible novel after much revision, but a great challange that can also be fun.

You think all writers are crazy for doing this? Sure. After all, who would follow a profession that punishes you time and again with rejections after putting in so many hours, days, and months of your life? The answers I read most often from writers go something like this: I have to write or I will explode, What else would I do, or, I enjoy the pain!

Why do it? Not for the pain, but for the growth.

Happy NANO!
Sherry
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​Do you want to stand out from the rest? Don't know where to start on your platform? Don't be just a number on a long list. Create your website, your twitter and other public sites to get the ball rolling. Kristen Lamb has some great advice about a fan facebook page. Check it out.

​"Does FB Sell Books & Do Writers Need a Facebook Fan Page?"by Kristen Lamb.
​
https://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2016/09/14/does-fb-sell-books-do-writers-need-a-facebook-fan-page/#comment-245786

Recently, I participated in an hour long mini picture book workshop on "How to Get Out of the Slushpile."  It was hosted by Jon Bard and his wife Laura Backes of CBI Clubhouse.
http://cbiclubhouse.com/clubhouse/author/jonbard/

Other participants were: 
Julie Hedlund  www.juliehedlund.com
Emma Walton Hamilton  http://emmawaltonhamilton.com
Katie Davis  http://katiedavis.com

They gave tips on submitting in rhyme, the submission and query process, revise and polish, and submit something the editors/agents haven't seen before. At the end of each speaker's segment, they gave "Action" suggestions for the writer. Very important action suggestions to improve your writing skills. All in all, it was a very productive hour.

Keep writing.
​Sherry