Author: Cynthia Reeg
Celebrate FRANKENSTEIN DAY!!!
Who wouldn’t love a face like that?
Okay, so I’ve been hanging around with monsters for much too long–and I LOVE IT!
AUGUST 30 is Frankenstein Day!
So you still have time to put on your costume and monster mash the night away!
FRANKENSTEIN FRIGHTFACE GORDON from my upcoming MG fantasy novel FROM THE GRAVE (October 18, 2016) is not a typical Frankenstein–he’s blue, prefers a crisp white button-down shirt, and the quiet life.
Still he’s full of surprises, the best of friends, and can certainly pull his weight in a tough situation. BLUE is COOL!
Preorders are happening right now–and an amazing giveaway! Don’t miss your chance to win a MONSTER OR DIE T-shirt.
Bonus:
Follow the link and learn how to make a FRANKENSTEIN CAKE–perfect for today’s celebrations or anytime you want to Monster On!!!
And if you want to make your Frankenstein cake look like my character FRANK, just switch blue icing for the green. Remember, BLUE is COOL!
FROM THE GRAVE Pre-order GiveAway
Don’t Miss Your Chance!
Only 8 more weeks until my official FROM THE GRAVE book release—less than six weeks until Amazon and Barnes & Noble ships the book out! What a great time to PRE-ORDER!
Why pre-order? Well, it’s a big deal in terms of promoting my book. Pre-orders count toward the first week’s sales, which helps create buzz about the book. Buzz leads to more people noticing the book, which leads to more sales—which means more kids are reading!
In addition, when more people pre-order FROM THE GRAVE, then the publisher will increase the first-run of the book and book sellers are more likely to purchase the book—which leads to more buzz about the book. You get the picture. Pre-orders are important!
As a thank you, please enter the contest to win some MONSTROUS book swag:
A limited edition FROM THE GRAVE child’s t-shirt! This is your chance to win one of FIVE!!!
Simply pre-order FROM THE GRAVE and send a digital receipt copy/photo to publicity@jollyfishpress.com.
Here are some links to where you can place your order:
Jolly Fish Press
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/from-the-grave-cynthia-reeg/1123528610?ean=9781631630941
Books A Million
Indiebound
http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781631630941
Powell’s
http://www.powells.com/book/from-the-grave-9781631630941
Or visit your local bookstore and order there. THANK YOU to those who have already pre-ordered and to all you who plan to do so! Don’t miss your chance to win a child’s FROM THE GRAVE t-shirt. Send in your receipt today!
The GiveAway ends September 23
Monster on!!!
WORLD BUILDING
Inside an Author’s Mind
(A Morning at the Dentist’s Office)
An exclusive look into the mind of one middle grade author. Read her ramblings as she faces terror! (i.e: sits in the dentist office, having her six-month cleaning and check-up—hoping that no new cavities have emerged in the interim.)
An author’s work is not limited to time spent before the computer or with a pen clutched in hand. No, some of my most productive creative time is down time, when I’m able to let my mind wander. It’s then that I often find answers to nagging plot problems or discover a new twist or—like today—uncover the truth about Monster Dentists!
In my upcoming middle grade fantasy, FROM THE GRAVE (October 18, 2016), I do not have a monster dentist as a character. However, I do mention one ancient vampire improving his bite with a set of new false teeth, so therefore, I know that monster dentists do exist in Uggarland—my monster world.
Today, as I sat in the infamous adjustable chair listening to drills and teeth scraping and moans (okay, maybe the moans were only mine and had nothing to do with pain but only with totally unjustified apprehension), I pondered a monster dentist’s workday. The following is what I envisioned:
The dentist’s name would be something like Dr. A. G. Ony or Dr. Lotta Payne
He would look like a cross between a mad scientist and a mangy dog, or she might be a skeleton in blood-crusted scrubs with a necklace of teeth dangling from her neck.
Tools would include a hammer, chisel, pliers, and a knockout punch, although most procedures would be administered with no pain relief. The louder the howling—the better.
The dentist would also have a file to sharpen teeth for better biting. Every Moanday, there would be a special two for one price on sharpenings. (always popular with the financially fiscal monsters like werewolves and trolls)
Cosmetic dentistry would include the application of teeth tarnishing gel, multiple tooth extractions for that gap-toothed growl, and a take home kit for halitosis—bad breath to the max.
Okay, there you have it. A writer’s mind at work—all while wearing a paper bib and drooling most profusely.
Now it’s your turn! (No, not to drool—to write!)
Open the door, if you dare, and let your imagination out for a bit of fun. I’ve shown you ways a dentist might “operate” in the goofy monster world that I’ve created for my #MonsterOrDieBooks.
YOUR TURN:
- Choose a setting for your story. (Feel free to use my monster world if you’d like.)
- Create a character.
- Fill in the blanks on how he/she looks and acts.
- Now write a story with this character. Keep thinking until you discover a problem. Such as: What if the monster dentist had to extract teeth from a crazed werewolf during a full moon? (Check out the classic picture book Dr. DeSoto by William Steig to read how this author wrote a similar story.)
- Finally, tell how the character tries to solve the problem. Does she do it—or not?
Presto! You’ve written a story! That’s how you make magic happen—one word at a time!
I’d love to hear about some of your characters. 🙂
Here’s to monstrous reading & writing!!!
Reflections From The SCBWI Conference
FOUR TAKEAWAYS FROM LOS ANGELES
I’ve just returned from the annual Society of Children’s Book & Illustrators summer conference in Los Angeles. Here are four quick reflections on what I carried away from the meetings and encounters there.
- INSPIRATION
What an amazing opportunity to hear and see how creative minds like Don Tate and Drew Daywalt and Jon Klassen work. I thank them for sharing their journeys, their insights, and their struggles through the completion of a project. Thanks too for reminding me to follow my heart—to listen to that inner voice that makes my story, my creation unique and relevant in this ever-changing world. They helped reaffirm that we SCBWI members–our words, pictures, story may be just the one needed by a young struggling mind, searching for answers, for hope, for laughter, for light. They reminded me to believe that I [we] can make a difference in one child’s life.
- ADULATION
The conference was overflowing with storytime celebrities around every corner. When I spied Richard Peck at lunch and met Bruce Coville and Arthur Levine at a small group gathering, I was awed. To hear my heroes Pam Munoz Ryan or Linda Sue Park speak is humbling and amazing. I heard agents and editors, writers and illustrators—each helpful and inspiring, all come to life! I felt sometimes as if I’d gone down the Rabbit Hole and might meet Alice on my next elevator ride.
- DETERMINATION
I was reminded by these celebrity book gurus that being creative is scary—over and over again with each new attempt. It would be so much easier to hide away in a safe place rather than expose myself to rejection time after time. That staying strong requires the hide of an elephant—and by the way, I felt an elephant’s hide once with hairs like a bristle brush. And even though every breath an author or artist breathes says “Like me—like my creations, please!” that we must be prepared to hear “No! No! No!” over and over again. The super important point to remember is that the refusals do NOT mean the end—unless we let them. We MUST NOT let them!!!
- CELEBRATION
What an amazing place the SCBWI Conference is! And I’m not just talking about the over-the-top Hollywood art deco glam of the Biltmore where this year’s conference was held. I was able to hang out with pals old and new. To forge friendships while discussing plot and characterization and the word puzzle challenge of picture books. To share critique horror stories over a glass wine and jubilation at lunch for a friend’s starred Kirkus review news. To hug and to laugh and to sigh. To relish shared passions and dreams and struggles. To know that we all are part of a special tribe who place the importance of children’s literacy paramount in our lives. We are SCBWI!
2016 Debut Authors Bash
Congratulation to the following winners of the YAReads – 2016 Debut Authors Bash.
FROM THE GRAVE was featured on Book Lovers Life. Thanks so much to both Natalie and Nicole for making this happen!
And the winners are . . .
Kayla, Wendy, Veronica, Cindy, Kelly, and Lysette!
Your signed FROM THE GRAVE posters went out in the mail today.
Thanks so much to everyone who entered. Please sign up at https://www.cynthiareeg.com for all the monster updates and for more chances to win cool—and creepy—monster swag!!!
Remember you can also follow along at @cynthiareeg on Twitter.
Keep calm and scary on!
Watch Out! Monsters Happen Here!
Today I’m offering a glimpse of my writing space—a small office area in my bedroom. Be it ever so humble, this is where monsters are created!
My Desk
There is my usually cluttered desk. I never seem to keep it as neat as I’d like. If I do straighten things up, then I usually lose track of where I’ve put something. So it’s probably better if it stays a bit messy. Monsters like mess anyway—perhaps that’s why so many have moved in.
My Bookshelves
There are a few bookshelves. A whole room full of shelves would not be enough for I could fill them quickly. I’ve had to size-down my book collection to stay within my space. There are books on writing, reference books, files, folders, photos and such. My shelves for favorite books stands in the hallway, a few steps away. Right now Jonathan Stroud’s book, THE HOLLOW BOY, sits on my desk though. He is such a master of fantasy adventure. I’m hoping the close proximity to one of his works will bring good mojo my way.
My Poem
There is a framed copy of my poem, “Reaching for the Stars,” which was published in HIGHLIGHTS magazine some years back. I love the colorful illustration by artist Melanie Hall. And I love the poem’s ongoing words of encouragement, “Go ahead. Try it. You’ll see—stars aren’t really so far away.” That’s the sentiment I keep focusing on in my writing career. Believing that the impossible is possible when you give it your all.
My View
There is classical music playing in the background. The masterful notes soothe my soul and inspire my muse. Periodically a train passes behind me. The rumble reminds me of powerful forces at work both within and without. Sometimes the sound pulls me out of a scene I’m writing and brings me back to the here and now, but more often it simply blends into the world I’ve created. I hear too the soft whirl of wheels on the street down below as cars slow at the corner stop sign. The vehicles pause and move on—my story too slows and accelerates with each new scene, setting, and the cast of characters. Today’s view through my office window is a gloomy one, following a morning thunderstorm. A perfect view for monsters—and this monster writer.
Follow me on Twitter for more monster updates! @cynthiareeg
or Facebook at Cynthia Reeg, Author
MONSTER RULES
In my upcoming fantasy FROM THE GRAVE, I wanted to explore the concept of prejudice and bullying from a totally different perspective. So I created a world of monsters where conformity and rule following is extremely important. I wanted to show the absurdity of creating mandates based on preferences and obscure reasoning. Each chapter begins with a rule.
Some are nonsensical:
Monster Rule #33: Mayhem is appropriate only when those in authority determine it to be so.
Monster Rule #5: A monster is judged by his actions, so act up!
Some are simple:
Monster Rule #1: Follow the rules, or else!
Some are funny:
Monster Rule #55: Expect the unexpected and then eat it for lunch.
Some are alarming:
Monster Rule #71: Torture is often a necessary component of monster education.
All of them are rather extreme:
Monster Rule #13: Monster or die!
The theme in this sometimes wacky and often intense monster world explores how a society’s views are shaped by conventions: rules, customs, laws. Of course, we need guidelines to create a safe and livable environment. What I wanted to present was a society that had established too many unnecessary rules and regulations on how its inhabitants should look and act. The punishment for violating these monster rules is termination. In this fantasy society, rather than looking for the talents and potential in an unconventional monster, the creature is automatically excluded—unless it can somehow conform.
As might be expected, monsters shy away from change (Monster Rule #913: A well-educated monster knows not to ask any questions.) But I’m hoping FROM THE GRAVE will provide not only an entertaining middle grade read but also serve as a catalyst for discussion on discrimination and intolerance in our own society.
Monster on!
GOOD MONSTERS and BAD MONSTERS
Oftentimes When I Start Writing a Story…
There will be a good guy versus a bad guy. My fantasy FROM THE GRAVE seemed pretty straightforward in this respect with Frankenstein Frightface Gordon—a less-than-monsterly monster—as the good guy. Malcolm McNastee—a true blood troll on a mission to end misfits—seemed the obvious bad guy. But then, as I dug deep (please forgive the obvious cemetery allusion) into the story, my characters started revealing who they really are. Their quirks and shortcomings. Their fears and failings. And of course, I love them all the more for it.
Looking Deeper
While Frank maintains his good guy persona, he’s not without his numerous shortcomings. He has a quick temper that he’s tried to put under wraps, which sometimes causes him to be too cautious. He doesn’t initially lead the charge to stand up for exiled misfits. Rather he must be convinced by Georgina—a dragon without a trace of fire—and by his dear, departed granny—from the grave!
Malcolm, on the other claw, isn’t a totally tough creature. He has a big soft spot for his little sister, Nelly, who exhibits some disturbing misfit traits. Plus, Malcolm has his own secrets to hide—secrets that would destroy his perfectly gruesome image. One of Malcolm’s favorite sayings is “Less thinking and more monstering.” But that is not always easy to do. In fact, being a monster is far from easy but wonderfully entertaining, as I hope you’ll discover in FROM THE GRAVE coming October 18 from Jolly Fish Press.
More Monsters!
For more information on creating characters and details on FROM THE GRAVE, visit these What’s New blog posts:
Monster Writing Prompts: Creating Characters
1/29 Friends
1/21 Family
1/17 Appearance
1/8 Likes & Dislikes
The BFG and Monster Food
Roald Dahl’s fantasy THE BFG is coming to the theaters on July 1. This is one of my favorite Dahl stories. I remember reading it to my two sons many years ago when they were in early elementary school. We would all laugh-out-loud at the antics of Sophie and her big, friendly giant. This was the type of story I wanted to write for children—one that would entertain and delight them.
Fast forward many years later, as I was brainstorming during a long car trip. An entertaining fantasy story started jelling in my mind. I scribbled down some notes about a world of monsters where a group of misfits was struggling to fit in. Originally, I intended to write FROM THE GRAVE as a beginning chapter book, but very quickly the characters informed me I was wrong. Their story was much too involved. These monsters needed a lot more pages to show off their stuff.
As an author, I knew better than to say “no” to monsters. Instead, I wrote their escapades into a middle grade story with humor, adventure, a fair share of gross-out factor—and plenty of heart as well. Plus, there’s more than a few monster curses thrown in, just to warn you.
I must say that I totally enjoyed the gross-out parts, particularly the monster food. The monster world in FROM THE GRAVE parallels the human world in many ways. But monsters have totally different palates than humans. Creating disgusting monster chow became a daily challenge as I wrote and rewrote the story. “Peppered innards” is one of my favorites.
WRITING PROMPT
What cooking in your monster kitchen???
Now it’s your turn to create some delectable (for monsters anyway) food. Pretend you are inviting all your favorite frightening friends for dinner. What will you serve? Perhaps Toasted Eyeballs for an appetizer. Chopped Lizard Gizzards with Gravy for the entry. And Bubbling Brains for dessert!
*Bonus: Write out the recipe for how to make your monster food.
*Bonus: Write a story that has monster food in it. Who’s making and eating the food? Throw in a problem to make it interesting. Remember a story needs:
- a Beginning (introduce us to your characters & setting)
- a Middle (things become worse instead of better)
- an End (wrap things up/solve the problem)
Watch the STIR UP A STORY slide show on my website for more help.
Starter Idea: Maybe a witch is throwing a party and she can’t get the fire going under her cauldron. What will she do? How do things go from bad to worse for her? Does anyone help her? (Remember: it’s good to have the main character solve her problem as much as possible.)
If you don’t like the starter idea, think up your very own story!
Have fun. Be creative. Don’t worry about spelling and punctuation too much on the first round. But if you want to earn a SUPER WRITER badge, try to correct as much as you can when you read your story over the second time.
Send me your BEST suggestions for monster food @CynthiaReegAuthor on Facebook or @cynthiaReeg on Twitter or comment below!
Be sure to find out what food is bubbling in the pot in FROM THE GRAVE by Cynthia Reeg. Coming to a cemetery near you October 18!