Monday, April 8, 2013

The Greatest Show On Earth!




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I never really had the chance to go to the circus when I was growing up.  In my small town by the bayous of southern Louisiana, we had a Duck Festival where we had a Duck Queen, a Duck Calling Contest and a few arcade games or kiddie rides, but no circus.  But even though Ringling Brothers never came to town when I was a kid, it didn't mean I didn't imagine myself becoming a circus performer one day.


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I have big dreams.  I don't mean like training some pups to sit on a stool kinda dreams.  Although I tried really hard one summer to teach my half-Chihuahua/half-mutt dog named Penny to do some tricks but she was more confused than I was on how to go about it properly.  Kinda like trying to teach my brain how to write a great story.  Just when I think I should maybe try my hands at a little writing project, like my version of War & Peace, I decide to try the grand finale of literature tricks and write Picture Books.


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And the only way I'm going to be that star performer is to practice every day. Every week. Every month. Every...well, you get the idea.  I can't just run through the moves of trying to write a picture book...throw a few words on paper...and think it's a good story, much less a great one!  It takes talent, finesse, and a lot of patience to produce a story worthy of performing in front of others.

Some of us can go too quickly and our timing is off.  We fumble and only end up embarrassing ourselves (and those around us) by not getting the tricks right.  



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Then there are some of us who go slowly, honing our skills, studying our craft, and starting out small until one day we realize there are tigers in the room and we aren't afraid to go after them.  We are ready for the big show and can perform at the level editors and publishers expect of us.  

I want to be THAT kind of performer.  A star-studded, fishnet-stockinged daredevil circus star who takes on the most difficult challenges and makes them bow to her flying fingers on the keyboard.  And one day, when I'm good enough, maybe I will even take on the biggest challenge of all...

RHYMING PICTURE BOOKS!



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16 comments:

  1. Rhyming? *gulp* That's the high wire of picture books. One wrong step and.... Yikes! Great post, Donna - and so true. Writing picture books is no Duck Festival! :)

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    1. Hi Genevieve! That's funny...I never thought of the highwire but you're right...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  2. Will you really wear fishnet stockings when you write your rhyming books? That wouldn't be wise around Tommy. Cat Scratch fever

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    1. Lol, Janet...maybe I'll get hime some special cat booties to wear first! ;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  3. The guy with the tigers may be truly hot, but those tigers are truly amazing. Love the circus, would have run away at one time to join up.

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    1. Hi Susan! I never got to join the circus...ran away to a horse stable for the day thougth...but THAT is another story for another day! ;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  4. Yes, Rhyming picture books is the high wire circus of picture book writing alright. I'm just happy to get any old entertaining ms done. although my last one was a nonfiction piece I'm going to sub this summer. Happy writing, Donna!

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    1. Hi Clar! I would give just about anything to be able to have the time to work on some nonfiction ideas I have...ahhh, maybe some day...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  5. Writing rhyming picture books is my ambition too. Yet, I think it's scarier than tigers at the zoo! Great, funny post Donna! :0)- Donna Sadd

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    1. Hi Donna! I write rhyming picture book sometimes but I would REALLY like to get better at doing them...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  6. I last went to the circus when I was in college. Even then it was magical, although I felt guilty knowing those animals don't have the best lives.

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    1. Hi Cindy! The Shriner's Circus comes to town more often than Ringling Borthers and I've seen a few of the shows over the years. If i ran away to join the circus today I'd probably be a clown...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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    1. Hi Erik! I bet you would be the lion tamer! '~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  8. Lovely post Donna. I loved the circus as a child -- especially the acrobats. Nice anology to writing.

    Heard you're doing the book fair again in Knoxville. That is great!!

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    1. Hi Patricia! Yep...last year I received 350 autographed items from authors around the country to hand out and include in my FREE drawing. This year...so far...I have received over 400 autographed items from AROUND THE WORLD so I am now officially an international event...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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