by Bethany | Jan 23, 2019 | Courage to Create, Podcast
In episode 41 of The Porchlight, Marcie Colleen charms us with her wit and heart, both of which are larger than life.
Marcie holds a bachelor’s degree in Education of English and Language Arts from Oswego State University and a master’s degree in Educational Theater from New York University. She is the author of THE SUPER HAPPY PARTY BEARS chapter book series with Macmillan/Imprint, as well as her debut picture book, LOVE, TRIANGLE, illustrated by Bob Shea (Balzer+Bray/HarperCollins), and PENGUINAUT!, illustrated by Emma Yarlett and published by Scholastic in 2018.
Marcie creates highly acclaimed Teacher’s Guides that align picture books and middle grade novels with the Common Core and state mandated standards. She is the Education Consultant for Picture Book Month and the Curriculum Developer for Time Traveler Tours & Tales. Marcie is also a frequent presenter at conferences and workshops and teaches online at The Writing Barn, Kidlit Writing School, and other venues.
During Marcie’s interview with host Bethany Hegedus, they discuss the random places ideas can come from and the sometimes difficult process of finding the right title. Marcie details a story of how she listened to too many voices of critique and had to find her way back to her own vision after writing 39 drafts of PENGUINAUT. They give a shout out to author and 12X12 founder Julie Hedlund, featured on episode 20 of The Porchlight, for introducing them online. Marcie also discusses the joy she finds in puns and wordplay and how she uses both in her work.
She also believes she was called to teaching and giving back by empowering new writers no matter how green they are because she seeks to lift people up the way she herself was lifted up by her mentors, which include Alvina Ling. Get ready to laugh and be inspired by Marcie Colleen, and find out more about her at http://www.thisismarciecolleen.com.
by Bethany | Jan 16, 2019 | Courage to Create, Podcast
The dark night of the soul. As writers, we’ve all been there. We’ve all had those moments where we feel like our work is not good enough. Will never be good enough. That we are not good enough. In Courage to Create episode #5, Bethany Hegedus walks us through this dark night and leads us back out.
January feels like a fresh start, a new page, a time to move forward. But if you’re experiencing a crisis of faith in your work and/or yourself, moving forward can feel impossible. Bethany delves into the hurt of rejections, the shame we often feel, and how we tend to turn that into wondering why we’re not good enough and fearing we never will be.
She uses inspiring quotes and vignettes from Anne Lamott and Flannery O’Connor, both successful authors who have been through dark nights of their own. Bethany also reads a letter from one of her Write. Submit. Support. students and encourages listeners to send her their own letters detailing what they say to themselves when they’re in a place of doubt and despair.
Most significantly, Bethany guides listeners back into the light and shows us how we can overcome our own dark nights and keep moving forward in our literary lives. You won’t want to miss this inspiring episode of The Porchlight.
by Bethany | Jan 9, 2019 | Courage to Create, Podcast
On this episode of The Porchlight we flip the script and interview Matthew Winner, Librarian and Podcast Host of The Children’s Book Podcast, a podcast that we here at The Writing Barn hold near and dear to us. We just knew we had to interview Matthew for The Porchlight. Listen to this in-person interview at The Writing Barn during our Picture Book Intensive (for which Matthew was faculty).
Today’s Porchlight guest is elementary school librarian, author, and host and creator of The Children’s Book Podcast (formerly All the Wonders), Matthew Winner. He is the author of ASHA WENT WALKING, a webcomic for young readers, and in 2013, Matthew was named a Library Journal Mover & Shaker.
Matthew and Bethany discuss the origins of his podcast and how he’s just recorded his 469th episode! Matthew details the evolution of his podcast over the years and how he’s come to use it as a platform for marginalized voices so that all children feel heard and seen. He believes books should serve as both mirrors and windows and talks about why this is so important. Matthew also discusses how he finds guests for his podcast and who his dream interviews are.
Join Bethany and Matthew for an open, honest, and inspiring conversation on this episode of The Porchlight. And find out all about Matthew and his work at: http://www.matthewcwinner.com
The Children’s Book Podcast features insightful and sincere interviews with authors, illustrators, and everyone involved in taking a book from drawing board to bookshelf. Be sure to subscribe!
Podcast page: http://www.matthewcwinner.com/single-post/Episode-Archive
by Bethany | Jan 2, 2019 | Courage to Create, Podcast
Welcome back listeners from our brief holiday break. Hope you had a wonderful New Year. Thanks for tuning in, we’ve got more of The Porchlight for you to ring in 2019 with some literary love and support.
In episode four of The Porchlight’s new Courage to Create series with Bethany Hegedus, Bethany talks about the power of believing stories and books into being. Courage is a crucial component of that belief, and Bethany discusses how you can find your own courage to create and why she chose to give the series that title. She comments on finding time for your work and saving energy for your creativity even while living your daily life filled with job, family, and friends. Bethany explains how boredom can be a major feeder for creativity and how in our busy lives, we often need to schedule boredom so we have time for long walks and unplugging and focusing on our work.
Also, Bethany and The Writing Barn want to hear from you, our listeners and students! How can we help you live your best literary life? Where are you feeling courage these days? Where are you feeling fear? Comment on any of our social media and start a dialogue with us about your literary life. Remember, we are navigating this creative journey together!
by Bethany | Dec 19, 2018 | Courage to Create, Podcast
In this live Words and Wine event at The Writing Barn, Bethany Hegedus interviews her own literary agent, Alexandra Penfold, who is the author of five picture books plus NEW YORK A LA CART, which spotlights the best of the Big Apple’s food-on-the-go. Alex’s newest picture book, ALL ARE WELCOME, spent a month on the New York Times bestseller list, and Alex brings her experiences in marketing, editing, and now as an agent and writer to her own work as well as to the work of her clients.
During the event, Bethany and Alex discuss working with illustrators and Alex’s passion for wanting children to see themselves in books so they will in turn be inspired to tell their own stories and draw their own pictures. Alex also delves into how she approaches her stories whether they’re in verse or not, and she talks about the importance of understanding picture book structure and page turns. Together, Bethany and Alex share information on what elements create a mutually beneficial agent/client relationship. They discuss the trust, respect, and belief in the work both parties must have in their shared experience of partnering to help writers attain the highest standards in their work. For more info on Alex’s books, go to https://www.alexpenfoldbooks.com. For information on Upstart Crow Literary, see http://www.upstartcrowliterary.com.
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